cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMBINATION Therapies Including TOCILIZUMAB Decrease the Progression of CLAD: Initial Clinical Experience

Purpose TH17 & IL-6 interactions and detrimental Biologic effects may mediate CLAD / BOS in a murine Lung allograft model and Human LT. TOCILIZUMAB (TCZ), a humanized monoclonal Ab targets the IL-6 receptor subunit alpha (IL-6Rα), preventing binding of IL-6 to both IL-6R and signal transducer glycoprotein 130 complex, hence inhibiting downstream signaling (JAK-STAT). Pertinent to potential therapeutic considerations for CLAD, TCZ decreases circulating PMNs, Monocytes, MIF & TH-17 cells and increases TREG & Regulatory B-Lymphocytes. We review our initial TCZ experience with COMBINATION immunotherapies for CLAD. Methods Review LT recipients who received ≥ 3 mos TCZ (4-8 mg/Kg/month) treatment for CLAD. Analysis: (SPIROM) Linear Regression Slope FEV-1 (mL/month), infection incidence, Single Antigen Flow Cytometry HLA Class I & II Donor-specific ALLO-Antibodies (DSA) and Non-HLA Antibodies (EC-1&2, AT1R). Baseline Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Serum values (Quantitative multiplex assay; ARUP Labs, Inc.) were measured (NL: ≤ 5 pg/mL). Values expressed as (Median ± SD) / Paired T-test. Results N=9 [BLT (4), SLT (4), Lung-Liver (1)]; Ages: 65 (23-75) years; M: F (7:2); Time Post-LT: 28 ± 30.9 mos. [4-102]. CLAD Stages: BOS I (2), II (4), III (2), RAS (1). CLAD therapies: Rabbit ATG (5), Rituximab (1), IVIG (9) + TCZ. Baseline DSA (PRE- treatment): HLA Class I (2), Class II (6) in N=6 patients; EC1&2 (6) and AT1R (1). All DSA were Weak or Moderate MFI ( Conclusion 1. Initial experience suggested COMBINATION therapies for CLAD including TCZ, with different therapeutic targets, can stabilize SPIROM Decline without apparent significant Adverse Effects. 2. DSA HLA Class I & II (
Introduction to symposium on “Themes of gender and identity in the 2016 US presidential election”

Themes of gender, gender roles and relations, and sex played major roles in the 2016 US presidential campaign and election. While Hillary Rodham Clinton’s status as the first woman presidential nom...
Polymorphisms in oxidative stress pathway genes and prostate cancer risk

Age-related factors including oxidative stress play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis. We hypothesize that germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in oxidative stress pathway are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk. In this study, we aim to examine which of these SNPs is associated with PCa. Participants included in this analyses came from the “Genetic Susceptibility, Environment and Prostate Cancer Risk Study” conducted at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System. After applying exclusion criteria, 231 PCa cases and 382 prostate biopsy-negative controls who had genotyping data on twenty-two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six genes (MAPK14, NRF2, CAT, GPX1, GSTP1, SOD2, and XDH) associated with oxidative stress pathway were included in the analyses. The genotyping of SNPs was conducted by the Illumina BeadXpress VeraCode platform. We investigated these SNPs in relation to overall and aggressive PCa risk using logistic regression models controlling for relevant covariates. One SNP in the MAPK14 (rs851023) was significantly associated with incident PCa risk. Compared to men carrying two copies of allele A, the presence of one or two copies of the G allele was associated with decreased risk of PCa [OR (95% CI) 0.19 (0.06–0.51)]. There was no statistically significant association between other SNPs in the NRF2, CAT, GPX1, GSTP1, SOD2, and XDH genes and PCa risk. The MAPK14 gene SNP rs851023 was associated with PCa and aggressive PCa risk after multiple comparison adjustment. Further studies in other populations or functional studies are needed to validate the finding.
Ghrelin and Orexin Interact to Increase Meal Size Through a Descending Hippocampus to Hindbrain Signaling Pathway.

Abstract Background Memory and cognitive processes influence the amount of food consumed during a meal, yet the neurobiological mechanisms mediating these effects are poorly understood. The hippocampus (HPC) has recently emerged as a brain region that integrates feeding-relevant biological signals with learning and memory processes to regulate feeding. We investigated whether the gut-derived hormone ghrelin acts in the ventral HPC (vHPC) to increase meal size through interactions with gut-derived satiation signaling. Methods Interactions between vHPC ghrelin signaling, gut-derived satiation signaling, feeding, and interoceptive discrimination learning were assessed via rodent behavioral neuropharmacological approaches. Downstream neural pathways were identified using transsynaptic virus-based tracing strategies. Results vHPC ghrelin signaling counteracted the food intake–reducing effects produced by various peripheral biological satiation signals, including cholecystokinin, exendin-4 (a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist), amylin, and mechanical distension of the stomach. Furthermore, vHPC ghrelin signaling produced interoceptive cues that generalized to a perceived state of energy deficit, thereby providing a potential mechanism for the attenuation of satiation processing. Neuroanatomical tracing identified a multiorder connection from vHPC neurons to lateral hypothalamic area orexin (hypocretin)-producing neurons that project to the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus in the hindbrain. Lastly, vHPC ghrelin signaling increased spontaneous meal size via downstream orexin receptor signaling in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus. Conclusions vHPC ghrelin signaling increases meal size by counteracting the efficacy of various gut-derived satiation signals. These effects occur via downstream orexin signaling to the hindbrain laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, thereby highlighting a novel hippocampus-hypothalamus-hindbrain pathway regulating meal size control.
Convolution Acceleration: Query Based Filter Pruning

The rising ubiquity of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for learning tasks has led to their use on a variety of devices. CNNs can be used on small devices, such as phones or embedded systems; however, compute time is a critical enabling factor. On these devices, trading high accuracy for improved performance may be worthwhile. This has led to active research in high-level convolution optimizations. One successful class of optimizations is filter pruning, in which filters that are determined to have a small effect on the network’s final output are deleted. In this work, we present a self-pruning convolution that is intended to accelerate convolutions for use on small devices. We call it an ALSH Convolution because it uses Asymmetric Locality Sensitive Hashing to generate a subset of the convolution’s filters that are likely to produce large outputs for a given input. Our methodology is accessible: it generalizes well to many architectures and is easy to use, essentially functioning as a regular layer. Experiments show that a network modified to use ALSH Convolutions can stay within 5% accuracy on CIFAR-10 and 10% on CIFAR-100. Further, on small devices, a network built with our implementation can be 2x faster than the same network composed of PyTorch’s convolution.
Sperm granuloma masquerading as a supernumerary testis.

Abstract Sperm granuloma is a common finding following vasectomy, with majority of the lesions located at the site of the vasectomy defect. Sperm granulomas are typically small and asymptomatic. We describe a case in which the nodule presented similarly to a supernumerary testis by radiographic features.
Will autonomous vehicles change auto commuters’ value of travel time?

Abstract This paper examines the potential impact of autonomous vehicles on commuters’ value of travel time (VOTT). In particular, we focus on the effect on auto commuters in small and medium-sized metropolitan areas, concerning the spatial variability across urban areas, suburbs, and rural areas. We design a stated choice experiment to elicit potential changes in 1,881 auto commuters’ valuation of travel time in autonomous vehicles and apply a mixed logit model to quantify the changes in the value of travel time if taking autonomous vehicles. The results of this study suggest that the effect of autonomous vehicles on the VOTT is spatially differentiated. We find that riding in a private autonomous vehicle reduces the commuting VOTT of suburban, urban, and rural drivers by 32%, 24%, and 18%, respectively, compared to 14%, 13%, and 8% for riding in a shared autonomous vehicle. Finally, we discuss the implications of these lower values of time on transportation and land use planning.
Clinical risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers of post-traumatic acute kidney injury in combat patients.

Abstract Background Post-traumatic acute kidney injury has occurred in every major military conflict since its initial description during World War II. To ensure the proper treatment of combat casualties, early detection is critical. This study therefore aimed to investigate combat-related post-traumatic acute kidney injury in recent military conflicts, used machine learning algorithms to identify clinical and biomarker variables associated with the development of post-traumatic acute kidney injury, and evaluated the effects of post-traumatic acute kidney injury on wound healing and nosocomial infection. Methods We conducted a retrospective clinical cohort review of 73 critically injured US military service members who sustained major combat-related extremity wounds and had collected injury characteristics, assayed serum and tissue biopsy samples for the expression of protein and messenger ribonucleic acid biomarkers. Bivariate analyses and random forest recursive feature elimination classification algorithms were used to identify associated injury characteristics and biomarker variables. Results The incidence of post-traumatic acute kidney injury was 20.5%. Of that, 86% recovered baseline renal function and only 2 (15%) of the acute kidney injury group required renal replacement therapy. Random forest recursive feature elimination algorithms were able to estimate post-traumatic acute kidney injury with the area under the curve of 0.93, sensitivity of 0.91, and specificity of 0.91. Post-traumatic acute kidney injury was associated with injury severity score, serum epidermal growth factor, and tissue activin A type receptor 1, matrix metallopeptidase 10, and X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 expression. Patients with post-traumatic acute kidney injury exhibited poor wound healing and increased incidence of nosocomial infections. Conclusion The occurrence of acute kidney injury in combat casualties may be estimated using injury characteristics and serum and tissue biomarkers. External validations of these models are necessary to generalize for all trauma patients.
Heterometal incorporation in NH2-MIL-125(Ti) and its participation in the photoinduced charge-separated excited state

Optical and X-ray spectroscopy studies reveal the location and role of Fe3+ sites incorporated through direct synthesis in NH2-MIL-125(Ti). Fe K-edge XAS analysis confirms its metal-oxo cluster node coordination while time-resolved optical and X-ray transient absorption studies disclose its role as an electron trap site, promoting long-lived photo-induced charge separation in the framework. Notably, XTA measurements show sustained electron reduction of the Fe sites into the microsecond time range. Comparison with an Fe-doped MOF generated through post-synthetic modification indicates that only the direct synthesis approach affords efficient Fe participation in the charge separated excited state.
Can the universe be described by a wave function

Suppose we assume that in gently curved spacetime (a) causality is not violated to leading order (b) the Birkhoff theorem holds to leading order and (c) CPT invariance holds. Then we argue that the...
Characterization of swine behavior and production using measurements collected via indoor positioning system

Abstract Legislative and market initiatives are requiring that gestating sows move from individual housing to group settings. Little information is known about coping of individual sows in these more socially complex environments and thus the impact of different behaviors on sow reproductive success was investigated. The movements of 70 sows during periods of reintroduction into large pen gestational housing following insemination was measured using Smartbow indoor positioning technology (Smartbow, Smartbow GmbH, Weibern, Austria) that tracked animal location and accelerations. Principle component analysis (PCA) was used to establish composite variables characterizing each animal’s behavioral response to social reintroduction and revealed the presence of two new variables accounting for over 60 % of the variance in behaviors: one pertaining to total movement and the other pertaining to social dominance/rapid movements. Component scores of total movement predicted measures of reproductive success whereas social dominance/rapid movements predicted piglet birth weight. These findings suggest that differences in behavioral variables as measured by Smartbow’s automated, non-invasive, real time tracking system are correlated with productivity of sows housing in socially complex settings.
Detection through deep neural networks: a reservoir computing approach for MIMO-OFDM symbol detection

The Reservoir Computing, a neural computing framework suited for temporal information processing, utilizes a dynamic reservoir layer for high-dimensional encoding, enhancing the separability of the network. In this paper, we exploit a Deep Learning (DL)-based detection strategy for Multiple-input, Multiple-output Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) symbol detection. To be specific, we introduce a Deep Echo State Network (DESN), a unique hierarchical processing structure with multiple time intervals, to enhance the memory capacity and accelerate the detection efficiency. The resulting hardware prototype with the hybrid memristor-CMOS co-design provides the in-memory computing and parallel processing capabilities, significantly reducing the hardware and power overhead. With the standard 180nm CMOS process and memristive synapses, the introduced DESN consumes merely 105mW of power consumption, exhibiting 16.7% power reduction compared to shallow ESN designs even with more dynamic layers and associated neurons. Furthermore, numerical evaluations demonstrate advantages of the DESN over state-of-the-art detection techniques in the literate for MIMO-OFDM systems even with a very limited training set, yielding a 47.8% improvement against conventional symbol detection techniques.
The Narratives of Local Children and Newly Arriving Forced Migrant Children about Their Mutual Contacts and Friendships in German Primary Schools

Even though almost half of the forced migrant population that entered Germany during the last several years are minors, research about the perspective of children on forced migration is very scarce. Drawing on childhood studies, which regard children as being capable of social thinking and acting, and generational theories, which scrutinize how childhood constitutes a common “social space,” this article aims to analyze narratives of local and forced migrant primary school children on flight and integration. Current regulations of the German educational system insert forced migrant children into the regular school system. Within the restrictive framework of schools, which disadvantage newly arriving migrant children by focusing on their German language skills as the primary marker of their educational potential and success, friendship making is the sphere where children can have agency. Children construct the school as their common generational space and discuss flight as the experience of “being new in school.” This allows children to acknowledge their different biographical backgrounds but empathize with each other and identify as generational members through their subjection to the educational system. Local and forced migrant children bridge language differences by performing their friendships through language-learning rituals. Hence, the public primary school system sets preconditions for the structural integration of local and migrant children, but the most important actors who “do integration” as a social process are children themselves. Article in English DOI: 10.25285/2078-1938-2020-12-3-52-69
Residual stress and osmotic swelling of the periodontal ligament

Osmotic swelling and residual stress are increasingly recognized as important factors in soft tissue biomechanics. Little attention has been given to residual stress in periodontal ligament (PDL) biomechanics despite its rapid growth and remodeling potential. Those tissues that bear compressive loads, e.g., articular cartilage, intervertebral disk, have received much attention related to their capacities for osmotic swelling. To understand residual stress and osmotic swelling in the PDL, it must be asked (1) to what extent, if any, does the PDL exhibit residual stress and osmotic swelling, and (2) if so, whether residual stress and osmotic swelling are mechanically significant to the PDL’s stress/strain behavior under external loading. Here, we incrementally built a series of computer models that were fit to uniaxial loading, osmotic swelling and residual stretch data. The models were validated with in vitro shear tests and in vivo tooth-tipping data. Residual stress and osmotic swelling models were used to analyze tension and compression stress (principal stress) effects in PDL specimens under external loads. Shear-to-failure experiments under osmotic conditions were performed and modeled to determine differences in mechanics and failure of swollen periodontal ligament. Significantly higher failure shear stresses in swollen PDL suggested that osmotic swelling reduced tension and thus had a strengthening effect. The in vivo model’s first and third principal stresses were both higher with residual stress and osmotic swelling, but smooth stress gradients prevailed throughout the three-dimensional PDL anatomy. The addition of PDL stresses from residual stress and osmotic swelling represents a unique concept in dental biomechanics.
A functional SNP regulates E-cadherin expression by dynamically remodeling the 3D structure of a promoter-associated non-coding RNA transcript

Transcription of E-cadherin, a tumor suppressor which plays critical roles in cell adhesion and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, is regulated by a promoter-associated non-coding transcript. This RNA includes a functional C/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs16260). The A-allele is linked to decreased transcriptional activity and increased prostate cancer risk. This single nucleotide change affects recruitment of an iso-miRNA and epigenetic enzymes to regulate the promoter, yet it is distant from the isomiR-binding site in both primary sequence and secondary structure, raising the question of how regulation occurs. Here we report the 3D NMR structure of the domain of 90 nucleotides within the paRNA which includes the SNP and the isomiR-binding site. We show that the A->C mutation alters the locally dynamic structure of the paRNA, revealing that the mutation regulates the E-cadherin promoter through its effect on RNA structure.
Novel Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracers for Imaging Mitochondrial Complex I.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been indicated in neurodegenerative and other disorders. The mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) of the electron transport chain (ETC) on the inner membrane is the electron entry point of the ETC and is essential for the production of reactive oxygen species. Based on a recently identified β-keto-amide type MC-I modulator from our laboratory, an 18F-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, 18F-2, was prepared. PET/CT imaging studies demonstrated that 18F-2 exhibited rapid brain uptake without significant wash out during the 60 min scanning time. In addition, the binding of 18F-2 was higher in the regions of the brain stem, cerebellum, and midbrain. The uptake of 18F-2 can be significantly blocked by its parent compound. Collectively, the results strongly suggest successful development of MC-I PET tracers from this chemical scaffold that can be used in future mitochondrial dysfunction studies of the central nervous system.
The State and Governance in India: The Congress Ideal

1. Processes Fueling the Development of the State and Governance 2. Indian Democracy and Civil Liberties 3. Opposing Imperialism through Foreign Affairs 4. Planning for Economic Liberation 5. Imagining a Unique Federal State 6. Erosion of the Ideal: Defense and National Government 7. Conclusions
Developmental and muscle-specific regulation of avian fast skeletal troponin T isoform expression by mRNA splicing.

Abstract We have investigated the developmental regulation of the avian fast skeletal muscle troponin T (TnTf) gene of the Japanese quail. Sequence analysis of troponin T mRNA, cDNA clones, and a genomic DNA segment demonstrate that the avian, fast skeletal TnTf protein isoforms are produced from a single gene. This TnTf gene is expressed in skeletal muscle, but not in adult cardiac muscles or in non-muscle tissues. In addition to known TnT isoforms, three new isoforms of TnT are described. These isoforms arise by regulated alternative RNA splicing of exons in the 5' and 3' regions of TnTf transcripts. Alternative splicing of the 5' TnTf exons involves splicing of multiple exons in different combinations (i.e. not mutually exclusive), whereas 3' alternative splicing involves mutually exclusive splice choices between two exons (alpha or beta exons). S1 nuclease protection and primer extension analyses show that alternative splicing of both 5' and 3' exons is precisely regulated and coordinated in physiologically different striated muscles, which express distinct, restricted combinations of 5' and 3' alternatively spliced exons in mRNA transcripts. In contrast, different embryonic muscles and clonal embryonic myoblast cultures coexpress the 3' alternative splice choices. This indicates that alternative splicing of TnTf mRNAs is controlled in different adult muscles by specific trans factors, and not by the restricted expression of different spliced forms in different embryonic myoblast lineages. Comparison of TnTf isoform expression in quail and chicken flight muscle (Wilkinson, J. M., Moir, A. J., and Waterfield, M. D. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 143, 47-56) to TnTf isoforms of the rat (Breitbart, R. E., and Nadal-Ginard, B. (1986) J. Mol. Biol. 188, 313-324), and rabbit (Pearlstone, J. R., Carpenter, M. R., and Smillie, M. B. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 73, 1902-1906) indicates that the avian gene contains an additional exon(s) not present in mammalian genes. The alternative exon sequences TnTf mRNAs expressed in anatomically distinct quail muscles can be correlated with sequences in TnTf protein isoforms in these chicken muscles. Thus, the regulated splicing of alternative exons in TnT transcripts, and not selective translation of stochastically spliced TnT mRNAs, regulates TnTf isoform expression in specific muscles.
Regulation of α operon gene expression in Escherichia coli: A novel form of translational coupling

Abstract The α operon of Escherichia coli contains the genes for ribosomal proteins S13, S11, S4, RNA polymerase subunit α, and r-protein L17, in this order. Previous studies have shown that translation of all four ribosomal proteins is regulated by S4, and that binding of S4 to the mRNA at the start site for S13 translation is probably responsible for the regulation of translation of S13, S11 and S4. The α gene is “unique” in that it is located between the genes for two ribosomal proteins (S4 and L17) and yet appears to be regulated independently of them. In the present studies, we have measured the synthesis rates of all the α operon proteins under a variety of physiological conditions. Our results confirm that α gene expression is regulated independently of the co-transcribed ribosomal protein genes and is relatively insensitive to translational feedback repression by S4. S1 nuclease analysis of α operon mRNA failed to reveal the presence of any unique transcription start or mRNA cleavage that leads to separation of the α cistron from preceding ribosomal protein cistrons. Therefore, it appears that differential regulation of α synthesis takes place at the level of mRNA translation. We have also carried out a deletion analysis of the α operon leader and identified a region of the α operon leader mRNA that is required for regulation by S4. Furthermore, deletion of this region results in increased synthesis of L17 together with S13, S11 and S4, whereas α synthesis did not increase significantly. Therefore, we conclude that interaction of S4 with this single target site results in translational repression of not only the proximal three cistrons for S13, S11 and S4 but also that of the last cistron, L17, without affecting the intervening α cistron.
The Treponema pallidum immobilization test in the cerebrospinal fluid; with a discussion of the phenomenon of chronic biologic false positivity in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract This study reports the experience with the TPI test in the cerebrospinal fluid of 43 patients in the diagnostic categories of early syphilis, latent syphilis neurosyphilis, and biologic false positive reactions, and correlates our results with those reported by other authors. The behavior of the TPI antibody in central nervous system syphilis appears to be similar to that of reagin. In latent syphilis there is disagreement between the two tests, in that there are patients with latent syphilis who have the TPI antibody in otherwise normal spinal fluids. It is probable that patients with latent syphilis who have demonstrable TPI antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid may be reclassified as a type of asymptomatic neurosyphilis. The precise significance of this phenomenon is as yet unknown, and the prognosis of such patients has not yet been established. Three patients are presented with chronic biologic false positive reactions in both blood serum and cerebrospinal fluid. It is suggested that alterations in the globulin fraction of the spinal fluid, probably secondary to tissue injury, are responsible for the false positive reactions, since these patients had brain tumor, probable collagen vascular disease, and probable sarcoidosis, respectively.
Use of “Marker Blocks” As An Aid in Quantitative Fractography in Full-Scale Aircraft Fatigue Testing: A Case Study

This paper was presented at the ASTM Symposium on Fractography in Fai1ure Ana1ysis of Ceramics and Metals, held on April 29-30, 1982, in Phi1ade1phia, and wi11 be pub1ished as part of a symposium volume by ASTM fo11owing peer review. Damage tolerant design criteria and the current use of random or f1ight-by-f1ight loading methods in the fu11-sca1e testing of aircraft structures have necessitated the deve10pment of new techniques to acquire accurate fatigue crack growth information from fracture surface ana1ysis. This paper describes a technique that uti1ized a 64 cyc1e constant amplitude 'marker b1ock', in an otherwise random load spectrum of 4469 cyc1es, to derive fatigue crack growth data from an a1uminum a110y spar cap and two wing skin rivets. The presence of an undetected incipient crack in the spar cap, from a previous fu11-sca1e test, provided an opportunity to account for the entire random loading crack growth history in terms of the 'marker band' spacings. It was possib1e to identify the marker bands in the SEM at re1ative1y short crack lengths of 2.6 mm for the spar cap and 0.5 mm for the rivets. A tota1 of 89 of the 90 marker b10cks app1ied in the test were accounted for on the spar cap fracture surface. Examination of the rivet fracture surfaces revea1ed 12 and 8 marker bands respectively, over crack lengths of some 3 mm.
Redox Regulation of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B by Peroxymonophosphate (O3POOH)

Reversible phosphorylation of tyrosine residues serves as a biochemical “switch” that alters the functional properties of many proteins involved in cellular signal transduction processes. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) catalyze the removal of phosphoryl groups from tyrosine residues in target proteins, thereby playing a central role in the regulation of diverse cellular processes including glucose metabolism, cell cycle control, and immune responses. Accordingly, small molecules capable of inactivating PTPs may find use as therapeutic agents and tools for the study of diverse signal transduction pathways. In the work reported here, peroxymonophosphate (2-O3POOH) was reported to be an exceptional inactivator of PTP1B, an archetypal member of the PTP enzyme family (KI = 6.6 × 10-7 M and kinact = 0.043 s-1). In this regard, peroxymonophosphate is over 7000 times more potent than hydrogen peroxide, the endogenous regulator of PTP1B. Inactivation of PTP1B by peroxymonophosphate is active site directed an...
Highly Available Distributed RAM (HADRAM) for Data Exchange between Power Utilities

Power Control Centers need to model their systems in real-time to support the necessary control and security functions. Neighboring independent system operators and regional transmission organizations also need to exchange system data. In the USA, a data exchange structure based on EPRI's common information model and XML is evolving. Currently, this data exchange is implemented by providing each local provider with an agent that mediates between data exchange messages and the local database. We propose here a different technology for data exchange built of main memory of commodity computers at different independent system operators to provide a universally accessible database. While distributed memory offers scalability and excellent access times (compared to disk based systems), it is also vulnerable to node outages. Our proposal, Highly Available Distributed RAM (HADRAM) is highly reliable and has the speed and bandwidth advantages of distributed memory. This enables it to be used as a standard for the timely exchange of system models and real time SCADA data between power utilities.
Effect of Marinades on the Formation of Heterocyclic Amines in Grilled Beef Steaks

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are suspected human carcinogens formed in muscle foods during high temperature grilling or cooking. Inhibition of HCAs by commercial marinades rich in polyphenolic antioxidant containing spices was evaluated with beef round steaks cooked at 204 degrees C (400 degrees F). Treatment effects on the levels of 4 HCAs were investigated: 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-flquinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 1-methyl-9H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol (harman), and 9H-pyrido[4,3-blindol (norharman). The marinades were formulated according to the package label instruction in an oil, water, and vinegar mixture, and the steaks were treated for 1 h prior to grilling. All 3 marinades, Caribbean, Southwest, and herb, significantly decreased the imidazo-azaarene HCAs (MeIQx, PhIP) as contrasted to controls and liquid blanks. The Caribbean mixture showed the highest decrease in the total HCA content (88%), followed by the herb (72%) and Southwest (57%). With a few exceptions there were significant decreases in HCAs for treatments with only the marinade bases (ingredients without any spices/herbs). As measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the marinades contained considerable amounts of the polyphenolic antioxidants carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid with Caribbean being the highest. Commonly available spice-containing marinades can be effective inhibitors of HCA formation and provide reduced exposure to some of the carcinogens formed during grilling.
A Tetrahydrobiopterin Radical Forms and then Becomes Reduced during Nω-Hydroxyarginine Oxidation by Nitric-oxide Synthase

Nitric-oxide synthases are flavoheme enzymes that catalyze two sequential monooxygenase reactions to generate nitric oxide (NO) from l-arginine. We investigated a possible redox role for the enzyme-bound cofactor 6R-tetrahydrobiopterin (H4B) in the second reaction of NO synthesis, which is conversion of N-hydroxy-l-arginine (NOHA) to NO plus citrulline. We used stopped-flow spectroscopy and rapid-freeze EPR spectroscopy to follow heme and biopterin transformations during single-turnover NOHA oxidation reactions catalyzed by the oxygenase domain of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOSoxy). Significant biopterin radical (>0.5 per heme) formed during reactions catalyzed by iNOSoxy that contained either H4B or 5-methyl-H4B. Biopterin radical formation was kinetically linked to conversion of a heme-dioxy intermediate to a heme-NO product complex. The biopterin radical then decayed within a 200-300-ms time period just prior to dissociation of NO from a ferric heme-NO product complex. Measures of final biopterin redox status showed that biopterin radical decay occurred via an enzymatic one-electron reduction process that regenerated H4B (or 5MeH4B). These results provide evidence of a dual redox function for biopterin during the NOHA oxidation reaction. The data suggest that H4B first provides an electron to a heme-dioxy intermediate, and then the H4B radical receives an electron from a downstream reaction intermediate to regenerate H4B. The first one-electron transition enables formation of the heme-based oxidant that reacts with NOHA, while the second one-electron transition is linked to formation of a ferric heme-NO product complex that can release NO from the enzyme. These redox roles are novel and expand our understanding of biopterin function in biology.
Robust Kernel Nonnegative Matrix Factorization

Kernel methods and Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) are both widely used in data mining and machine learning. The previous one is best known for its capability of transforming data into high dimension feature space, while the latter one is well known for its natural interpretations and good performance. In this paper, we propose a robust kernel NMF approach using L2, 1 norm loss function. Compared with the standard NMF algorithm, the new robust kernel NMF updating algorithm is as elegant and as simple, but with the newly added robustness to handle significantly corrupted datasets because of using L2, 1 norm. Experiments on normal and occluded datasets indicate that robust kernel NMF always perform better than k-means and standard NMF.
A STRATIFIED APPROACH TO THE RANKING OF ECONOMICS JOURNALS

This paper presents rankings of economics journals taken from a recent survey of economics department heads. Different rankings were derived for those with different research areas and those associated with different types of academic institutions. It was found that rankings were quite similar for all respondents.
Switching on the Light to See More Disease

In this paper, Urano et al. demonstrate a new class of molecular probe based on a fluorescent small molecule that becomes ‘activated’ after becoming internalized into cells for use in performing in vivo imaging. This probe is developed from an aniline moiety that reacts with protons to produce light-induced electron transfer in a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore. Spontaneous relaxation of delocalized electrons to lower energy levels results in fluorescence emission at wavelengths >530 nm, a regime that can be distinguished from autofluorescence background in tissue. This small molecule produces undetectable fluorescence at a physiological pH of 7.4. The probes are ‘switched on’ inside the cell when they encounter an abrupt reduction in pH after being taken up by lysosomes. This novel imaging agent is used with a targeting agent, such as Trastuzumab, an antibody to HER2, a growth factor receptor that is over expressed on the cell surface of many important cancers including breast, esophagus, and lung. Targeting occurs when the Fab component of the probe binds to the HER2 receptor and initiates dimerization. The probe-receptor complex then becomes phosphorylated, internalized by endocytosis, and scavenged by lysosomes. The reduction in pH to a value between 5 and 6 results in the probe releasing an intense fluorescence signal. Furthermore, only live cancer cells are visualized because the low pH in lysosomes requires active proton pumps to maintain an acidic environment. This novel probe is shown to have high specificity for NIH3T3 cells and lung tumors that over express HER2. In addition, activation of the probe after it reaches inside the cell rather than when it is in the extra-cellular space results in a very high target-to-background ratio. This targeted imaging concept can be generalized to the detection of other over expressed cell surface receptors specific to cancer that results in cellular internalization.
Decreased Neutrophil Function as a Cause of Retained Placenta in Dairy Cattle

It is unclear why some cows fail to expel the placenta following calving. One theory suggests the fetal placenta must be recognized as "foreign" tissue and rejected by the immune system after parturition to cause expulsion of the placenta. We hypothesized that impaired neutrophil function causes retained placenta (RP). We examined the ability of neutrophils to recognize fetal cotyledon tissue as assessed by a chemotaxis assay, which utilized a placental homogenate obtained from a spontaneously expelled placenta as the chemoattractant. Neutrophil killing ability was also estimated by determining myeloperoxidase activity in isolated neutrophils. Blood samples were obtained from 142 periparturient dairy cattle in two herds. Twenty cattle developed RP (14.1%). Neutrophils isolated from blood of cows with RP had significantly lower neutrophil function in both assays before calving, and this impaired function lasted for 1 to 2 wk after parturition. The addition of antibody directed against interleukin-8 (IL-8) to the cotyledon preparation used as a chemoattractant inhibited chemotaxis by 41%, suggesting that one of the chemoattractants present in the cotyledon at parturition is IL-8. At calving, plasma IL-8 concentration was lower in RP cows (51 +/- 12 pg/ml) than in cows expelling the placenta normally (134 +/- 11 pg/ml). From these data, we suggest that neutrophil function is a determining factor for the development of RP in dairy cattle. Also, depressed production of IL-8 may be a factor affecting neutrophil function in cows developing RP.
Phytoplankton Nitrogen in the Oceans1

The ratio of cellular nitrogen and chlorophyll has been studied in cultures of marine phytoplankton during and after recovery from nitrogen deficiency. The time factors were observed to vary together; however, the ratio was only constant when the cells were sufficient in nitrogen. Since nitrogen deficiency produced chlorotic cells in all species studied, the degree of deficiency could be ascertained by measuring the ratio of carotenoid to chlorophyll a. Thus an expression utilizing the ratio of plant pigments has been formulated to compute cellular nitrogen from chlorophyll a. This pigment:nitrogen relationship has been applied to estimate the quantity of nitrogen in natural populations of phytoplankton. The amounts of nitrogen in phytoplankton estimated from plant pigment measurements has been observed to vary between 18–70% of the total particulate matter.
DETERMINANTS OF STRUCTURE IN AQUATIC NON-PELAGIC PROTOZOAN COMMUNITIES

Although microbes have traditionally been used as models for testing ecological theory, research on the organization of these communities has largely been isolated from other areas of community ecology. Early studies indicated that microbial populations can form dynamic, interacting assemblages. Observations of distributional patterns suggest that certain deterministic forces regulate community structure. It appears that protozoans are tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions although evidence for this is largely based on gross environmental analyses. Laboratory studies have suggested the importance of negative and positive biotic interactions in determining community membership, but little field evidence for this exists. The importance of transport processes in controlling community composition is being increasingly recognized. All three types of processes likely act to regulate the colonization and successional dynamics of these communities. A simple model is presented to promote the development of synthetic field and laboratory studies to test for different determinants of community structure.
Phytohemagglutinin-induced leukocyte blastogenesis in normal and avian leukosis virus-infected chickens☆

Abstract The effects of congenital avian leukosis virus (ALV) infection on cell-mediated immunity in the chicken have been investigated. We assessed the capabilities of leukocytes from ALV-infected birds to respond to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a T-cell mitogen, using an in vitro blastogenic transformation assay. There were no significant differences in PHA responsiveness between ALV congenitally infected and normal control birds as measured at times from several weeks posthatching to adulthood. However, there was a quantitative difference between the two groups in the amount of PHA needed to stimulate their leukocytes maximally. This latter phenomenon may be a consequence of virus infection of the lymphocytes or altered B- or T-cell ratios.
“Concrete” Computer Manipulatives in Mathematics Education

Abstract— The use of “concrete manipulatives” in mathematics education is supported by research and often accepted as a sine qua non of “reform” approaches. This article reviews the research on the use of manipulatives and critiques common notions regarding concrete manipulatives. It presents a reformulation of the definition of concrete as used in educational psychology and educational research and provides a rationale of how, based on that reformulation, computer manipulatives may be pedagogically efficacious. The article presents 7 hypothesized, interrelated affordances of manipulatives and briefly reviews evidence for their empirical validity.
Outcomes of Proton Therapy for the Treatment of Uveal Metastases

Purpose/Objective(s) Radiation therapy can be used to treat uveal metastases with the goal of local control and improvement of quality of life. Proton therapy can be used to treat uveal tumors efficiently and with expectant minimization of normal tissue injury. Here, we report the use of proton beam therapy for the management of uveal metastases. Methods and Materials A retrospective chart review was made of all patients with uveal metastases treated at our institution with proton therapy between June 2002 and June 2012. Patient and tumor characteristics, fractionation and dose schemes, local control, and toxicities are reported. Results Ninety patients were identified. Of those, 13 were excluded because of missing information. We report on 77 patients with 99 affected eyes with available data. Patients were 68% female, and the most common primary tumor was breast carcinoma (49%). The median age at diagnosis of uveal metastasis was 57.9 years. Serous retinal detachment was seen in 38% of treated eyes. The median follow-up time was 7.7 months. The median dose delivered to either eye was 20 Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) in 2 fractions. Local control was 94%. The median survival after diagnosis of uveal metastases was 12.3 months (95% confidence interval, 7.7-16.8). Death in all cases was secondary to systemic disease. Radiation vasculopathy, measured decreased visual acuity, or both was observed in 50% of evaluable treated eyes. The actuarial rate of radiation vasculopathy, measured decreased visual acuity, or both was 46% at 6 months and 73% at 1 year. The 6 eyes with documented local failure were successfully salvaged with retreatment. Conclusions Proton therapy is an effective and efficient means of treating uveal metastases. Acutely, the majority of patients experience minor adverse effects. For longer-term survivors, the risk of retinal injury with vision loss increases significantly over the first year.
Intracerebral implantation of the anti-estrogen CN-69, 725-27: Effects on female sexual behavior in rats.

Abstract Ovariectomized adult female rats were stereotaxically implanted with double walled cannulas (22 ga outer and 27 ga inner) and tested for sexual receptivity (lordosis behavior) following SC estradiol benzoate and progesterone priming. Implantation of the anti-estrogen CN-69,725-27 (c. 6.5 μg) immediately after the first of 3 daily estrogen injections produced a dramatic inhibition of sexual receptivity when these implants were placed in the preoptic and anterior hypothalamic areas. CN-69,725-27 implants had no effect on receptivity when implanted in the middle hypothalamus, mesencephalon or frontal cortex. All inhibitory effects of the anti-estrogen were reversible within one day after removal of the CN-69,725-27 cannula from the brain.
Zeeman type magneto-optic studies of energy band structure

Abstract The energy levels associated with an energy band in a magnetic field are characterized by the following quantum numbers: h k H , the crystal momentum along the magnetic field direction; l , the Landau magnetic quantum number; and M J the component of the total angular momentum along the magnetic field which is characteristic of the atomic states in the tight binding limit. In the case of degenerate valence bands, the effect of a magnetic field is complicated by degeneracy effects and the levels in a magnetic field are characterized by two or more pairs of ( l , M J ) values. The selection rules, polarization effects, and the character of the absorption spectra of interband transitions in a magnetic field are discussed and illustrated by experimental data for Ge. The purpose of the present paper is to discuss the physics underlying the Zeeman type interband magneto-optic (IMO) effects in semiconductors. The effect of a magnetic field on the electronic energy levels of a semiconductor will be presented and the various optical transitions that can take place between these levels will be discussed. Finally, data on the room temperature IMO effect in Ge will be reported and compared with the theoretical calculations.
The impact of coups d’état on civil war duration

This paper considers how coups d’etat influence the duration of civil wars. While previous work on civil war duration has ignored coups, grouped them alongside civil wars or considered them as a sp...
Determination of crosslinking density of hydrogels prepared from microcrystalline cellulose

Hydrogels with four different plant-based microcrystalline cellulose concentrations were prepared using the self-assembly technique. The interaction parameter between cellulose and water was determined by the classical Flory-Huggins theory, and was found to be around 0.44 with weak concentration dependence. The crosslinking density in these hydrogels was measured by both the Mooney-Rivlin equation and the Flory-Rehner theory. Reasonable consistency was found between the two methods albeit results from the Flory-Rehner theory were slightly higher due to the contribution from the physical crosslinks. The crosslinking density values for all four hydrogels determined from both methods were found to range from 19 to 56 mol/m3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013