cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Athletic goal achievement: A critical antecedent of event satisfaction, re-participation intention, and future exercise intention in participant sport events

Abstract The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of consumer experiences in participant sport events. The authors explored two traditionally prominent components (i.e., service quality and perceived economic value) and one emerging factor (i.e., athletic goal achievement) of consumer experiences at participant sport events. The authors examined the effects of these three factors on re-participation intention and the effect of athletic goal achievement on future exercise intention. Results of moderated serial mediation analyses based on data from a sample of marathon runners (N = 3186), all three factors exerted significant effects on re-participation intention. In particular, athletic goal achievement was positively associated with re-participation intention and future exercise intention through the serial mediation of performance satisfaction and overall event satisfaction. However, the moderating effects of athletic goal importance on the serial indirect relationship between athletic goal achievement and two outcome variables (i.e., re-participation intention and future exercise intention) were not significant. The findings of this study offer participant sport service providers with insights to manage participants’ athletic performance, service quality, and perceived economic value for better consumer experiences. Such efforts should result in higher participant satisfaction, better retention rates, and a higher post-event physical activity level.
An Overview on Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making Process in Veterinary Practice

Veterinary ethics is a coordination of ethical principles that apply morals, values and judgements to the practice of veterinary profession. Veterinary ethics cover its practical application in veterinary practices as well as on its history, philosophy, theology, and sociology. Veterinary ethics combine veterinary professional ethics and the focus of animal ethics. It can be inferred as a critical manifestation on the provision of veterinary services in hold of the profession’s responsibilities to animal kind and mankind. Many ethical issues arise in a business unit in veterinary practice. Whenever such issues arise, it may lead to dilemmas, then proper and well-thought out ethical decision is to be made. Ethical decision making process in a business unit in veterinary practice is the use of ethical theories, principles, and rules by veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals in resolving ethical dilemmas in the veterinary practice. In order to resolve ethical dilemmas, being aware of and revelation to ethical theories is essential. Thoughtfulness of animal welfare and ethical issues is an essential component of a good ethical veterinary practice. This article reviews and discusses the ethics and major steps engaged in the ethical decision-making process in a business unit in veterinary practice. Strong commitment to the role, organization’s commitment to ethics and staff support could lower the levels of moral stress while facing ethical dilemma in a veterinary practice. Though using the ethical frameworks portrayed may not change the actual decisions finally reached by veterinary professionals, a good knowledge of ethical issues is imperative for client communication, better job satisfaction and preserving a positive public outline for both the individual and the veterinary practice.
Preliminary analysis of market potential for a hydropneumatic ground-level integrated diverse energy storage system

Abstract With the increasing share of renewable energy in the power grid, energy storage is considered a viable and effective solution to mitigate intermittency and improve power system stability. To quantify and estimate market potential for a recently developed Ground-Level Integrated Diverse Energy Storage (GLIDES) technology, the first operation model is developed for this hydropneumatic system and the bilinear pressure-volume terms are then linearized using the binary McCormick Relaxation method to improve solving efficiency. Based on up-to-date 5-min price data in four different real-time markets, several sets of experiments have been designed with three objective scenarios: maximize arbitrage, maximize arbitrage + reserve, maximize arbitrage + reserve + regulation. The experimental results show that the monetary value of GLIDES could be boosted by participation in ancillary markets and that regulation service might contribute more than half of the total revenue, even as high as 90% in PJM and ISONE markets. In addition, a case study for 1-day operation is used to illustrate the volume control of the GLIDES system.
Sources of Errors in Structured Light 3D Scanners

Structured light scanners have been commercially available for over a decade and some commercial scanners are evaluated using one of two German guidelines – VDI/VDE 2634 parts 2 and/or 3. Several other research groups have developed physical artifacts that are agnostic to instrument construction and are purpose driven. The use of such guidelines and artifacts is not well understood for instruments which have a variety of sensor configurations and capabilities. It is also not clear if these guidelines/artifacts are sensitive to all the sources of errors that are present in these systems. In this context, this paper will describe the ongoing activities at NIST to study various sources of errors in structured light scanners with an objective of characterizing their performance.
Phenotypic Analysis of CD4+ Treg, CD8+ Treg, and Breg Cells in Adult Common Variable Immunodeficiency Patients.

Author(s): Yesillik, Sait; Agrawal, Sudhanshu; Gollapudi, Sastry V; Gupta, Sudhir | Abstract: IntroductionRegulatory lymphocytes (CD4+ T regulatory cells [Treg], CD8+ Treg, and B regulatory cells [Breg]) play a critical role in immune homeostasis and tolerance. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is associated with increased susceptibility to infections and increased frequency of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. CD4+ Treg cell abnormalities have been reported in CVID; however, CD8+ Treg cells have not been reported in CVID. The objective of this study was to evaluate CD4+ Treg and CD8+ Treg cells in CVID patients.MethodsIn 25 patients with CVID and age-matched healthy controls, Treg cells, evaluated in freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (natural; nCD4+ Treg and nCD8+ Treg) and following in vitro activation with anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibodies (induced; iCD4+ Treg and iCD8+ Treg) as well as Breg cells were analyzed with specific monoclonal antibodies and isotype controls using flow cytometry.ResultsThe proportions of nCD4+ Treg (CD4+ CD127low CD25high FoxP3+), iCD4+ Treg (CD4+ CD127low CD25high FoxP3+), iCD8+ Treg (CD8+ CD25high CD183+ FoxP3+), and Breg (CD19+ CD24high CD38high) lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients with CVID than in controls.ConclusionsAltered regulatory lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis and autoimmunity and inflammation associated with CVID.
Least-squares solutions to polynomial systems of equations with quantum annealing

This work proposes and analyzes a methodology for finding least-squares solutions to the systems of polynomial equations. Systems of polynomial equations are ubiquitous in computational science, with major applications in machine learning and computer security (i.e., model fitting and integer factorization). The proposed methodology maps the squared-error function for a polynomial equation onto the Ising–Hamiltonian model, ensuring that the approximate solutions (by least squares) to real-world problems can be computed on a quantum annealer even when the exact solutions do not exist. Hamiltonians for integer factorization and polynomial systems of equations are implemented and analyzed for both logical optimality and physical practicality on modern quantum annealing hardware.
Short Communication: Low Muscle Mass Is Associated with Osteoporosis in Older Adults Living with HIV

Sarcopenia, age-related low muscle mass and function, is a well-established independent risk factor for bone fracture in the geriatric population but is understudied in older people living with HIV...
Moderators of the effectiveness of an intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening through mailed fecal immunochemical test kits: results from a pragmatic randomized trial.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates remain suboptimal, particularly in low-income and underserved populations. Mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) may overcome common barriers to screening; however, the effect of mailed FIT kits may differ across important subpopulations. The goal of the current study was to examine sociodemographic and health-related factors that moderate the effect of an intervention of automated direct mail of FIT kits at health clinics serving low-income populations. This study is a secondary analysis of the Strategies and Opportunities to Stop Colon Cancer in Priority Populations (STOP CRC) study, a cluster-randomized pragmatic trial to increase uptake of CRC screening in patients seen at federally qualified health centers. The intervention involved tools embedded in the electronic medical records to enable participating clinics to mail FIT kits and related materials to eligible participants. We examined the rate of FIT completion by potential moderating characteristics using electronic health record data supplemented by the American Community Survey and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Geographic Variation datasets, linked via geocoding to patients’ addresses. All patients aged 50–75 seen in participating health clinics who were eligible for CRC screening were included. Although not always statistically significant, we saw a consistent pattern of increased FIT return rates among intervention participants compared to control participants across all subgroups studied, with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) generally ranging from 1.25 to 1.50. FIT completion in the intervention group ranged from 15 and 20% across subpopulations, typically three to six percentage points higher than the control group participants. The only moderator with a statistically significant interaction was race: persons of Asian descent showed a twofold response to the intervention (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.41 to 3.00). Response to a mailed FIT intervention was generally consistent across a wide range of individual and neighborhood-level patient characteristics, including typically underserved patients and those in low-resource communities. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01742065. Registered on 5 December 2012.
An introduction to feedback Turing computability

Feedback computability is computation with an oracle that contains the correct convergence/divergence information for all computations calling that same oracle. Here we study feedback Turing computability, as well as feedback for some smaller classes of computation. We also examine some versions of parallelization of these notions.
The Foreclosure Crisis, Community Change, and the Cognitive Health of Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES While home foreclosures are often thought of as a household-level event, the consequences may be far-reaching, and spill over to the broader community. Older adults, in particular, could be affected by the spiral of community changes that result from foreclosures, but we know very little about how the foreclosure crisis is related to older adult health, in particular cognition. METHOD This article uses growth curve models and data from the Health and Retirement Study matched to Census and county-level foreclosure data to examine whether community foreclosures are related to older adults' cognitive health and the mechanisms responsible. RESULTS We find that higher rates of county-level foreclosures are associated with a faster decline in individual cognition at older ages. Although we examined an extensive number of individual and community mechanisms, including individual housing wealth and depressive symptoms, community structural factors, social factors, and perceptions of physical disorder and cohesion, none of the mechanisms examined here explained this relationship. DISCUSSION This study shows that the adverse consequences of home foreclosures spill over to the local community, with implications for the cognitive health of older adults.
Sheltering in Place in a Xenophobic Climate: COVID-19 and Children in Immigrant Families.

* Abbreviations: CIF — : children in immigrant families COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease DACA — : Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ICE — : Immigration and Customs Enforcement LEP — : limited English proficiency SDH — : social determinant of health TPS — : temporary protected status WIC — : Women, Infants, and Children Program Like many health conditions that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations of color, we expect that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will inequitably affect the health and livelihoods of immigrant families. One in 4 children (>18 million) in the United States lives in an immigrant family, in which the child or ≥1 parent was born outside the United States.1 Among children in immigrant families (CIF), >7 million live in “mixed-status” families, meaning ≥1 parent is not a US citizen.2 Before the COVID-19 pandemic, immigrant families faced increasingly restrictive policies and discrimination. Regardless of legal status, CIF experience increased health and social risks compared with peers in nonimmigrant families, including lower rates of health insurance coverage and higher poverty levels.3 The COVID-19 pandemic amplifies existing inequities and introduces new ones as immigrant families navigate school closures, lack of health insurance and paid leave, and decisions to seek medical care or public services amid ongoing immigration enforcement. Additionally, immigrant families are more likely to live in multigenerational households,4 heightening the risk of COVID-19 for multiple family members. Families with limited English proficiency (LEP) must decipher rapidly evolving public health directives, such as “shelter-in-place” orders and recommendations for mask-wearing, without multilingual and culturally relevant messaging. Underlying these challenges is the implicit presumption of a safe place in shelter-in-place and social distancing directives. For immigrant families seeking safe haven in the United States, “place” may include violence and abject poverty, both in home countries and at the US border. For CIF in US communities coping with persistent fears of immigration enforcement and family separation, … Address correspondence to Rushina Cholera, Duke University School of Medicine, 200 Morris St, 3rd Floor, Durham, NC 27701. E-mail: rushina.cholera{at}duke.edu
Chapter 5 – Applications of Higher Order Differential Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of applications of higher order differential equations. It reviews the procedures that lead to the differential equations that model simple harmonic motion and damped motion. Another situation that leads to a second order ordinary differential equation is that of the simple pendulum. In this case, a mass (m) is attached to the end of rod of length (L) that is suspended from a rigid support. As the motion is best determined in terms of the angular displacement t, θ = 0 is let to correspond to the rod hanging vertically. The objective is to find the motion of the mass as a function of θ, an initial position and an initial velocity. Assuming that the pendulum is allowed to rotate without friction, the only force acting on the pendulum is that of the gravity. Newton's second law and the relationship s = Lθ are used to establish the initial value problem.
Improving plant gene regulatory network inference by integrative analysis of multi-omics and high resolution data sets

Abstract Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) model the interactions between gene expression regulators and their targets that mediate a myriad of biological functions. Constructing GRNs that integrate multiple data types at increased resolution is improving our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms controlling different biological processes in plants. Going beyond transcription factor binding and transcriptome profiles, GRNs that incorporate multiple data types, including chromatin accessibility and long-range chromatin interaction, transcription factor binding site motifs, microRNA, ribosome-associated RNA, and proteomic profiles, were constructed for several cell types and multiple species. The rise of single-cell RNA-seq applications in plants opens up possibilities for studying cell type–specific GRNs in the processes of cell differentiation, development, and responses to the environment. Applications of high-throughput reporter assays and genome editing technologies allow large-scale validation of GRNs. Future advances in refining plant GRNs will most likely involve integration of multi-omics single-cell data and methods for cross-species model translation.
Growing Up Fast: Managing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Precocious Puberty.

Case John is a 4-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delay who presented with concerns about increasing aggressive behavior at a follow-up visit with his developmental-behavioral pediatrician. Diagnosis of ASD was made via Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th version criteria at initial evaluation at 34 months. Medical history at that time was pertinent for rapid linear growth since the age of 1 and recent pubic hair growth and penile enlargement. Family history was significant for early puberty in a maternal uncle and 4 distant maternal relatives. Standardized testing included administration of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2-Standard, which was consistent with severe symptoms of ASD, and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, which indicated moderate delay in fine motor skills and expressive language and severe delay in receptive language and visual receptive skills.At initial assessment, John's parents also reported a pattern of aggressive behavior, which included frequent hitting of other children at childcare, consistently forceful play with peers and family members, and nightly tantrums with hitting and throwing at bedtime. Triggers of aggressive behavior included other children taking his toys, transition away from preferred activities, and being told "no."John was concurrently evaluated by a pediatric endocrinologist at 34 months. At that assessment, his height Z-score was +2.5, and he had Tanner 2 pubic hair, Tanner 3 genitalia, and 6 cc testicular volumes. Radiograph of the hand revealed a bone age of 6 years (+7.8 S.D.). Laboratory studies revealed a markedly elevated testosterone level and low gonadotropin (luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone) levels and a normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, suggestive of peripheral precocious puberty. Targeted genetic testing with sequencing of the LHCGR gene revealed a heterozygous D578G mutation resulting in the rare condition Familial Male-Limited Precocious Puberty (FMPP), characterized by constitutive activation of the LH receptor. FMPP, also referred to as testotoxicosis, was attributed as the cause of John's peripheral precocious puberty.By the age of 4, John's height Z-score was +3.1, his genitalia larger, and his bone age 10 years (+10.3 S.D.). His parents elected to start off-label therapy with bicalutamide (a nonsteroidal antiandrogen) and anastrazole (an aromatase inhibitor), recommended by the endocrinologist. Unexpectedly, as John's hyperandrogenism was treated, John's family reported intensified aggression toward other children and adults, especially at school, in addition to multiple daily instances of biting when upset. What is your next step in John's treatment of his challenging behavior? Reference 1. Shenker A, Laue L, Kosugi S, et al. A constitutively activating mutation of the luteinizing hormone receptor in familial male precocious puberty. Nature. 1993;365:652-654.
Hepatocellular carcinoma: making sense of morphological heterogeneity, growth patterns, and subtypes.

Summary Hepatocellular carcinomas are not a homogenous group of tumors but have multiple layers of heterogeneity. This heterogeneity has been studied for many years with the goal to individualize care for patients and has led to the identification of numerous hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes, defined by morphology and or molecular methods. This article reviews both gross and histological levels of heterogeneity within hepatocellular carcinoma, with a focus on histological findings, reviewing how different levels of histological heterogeneity are used as building blocks to construct morphological hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes. The current best practice for defining a morphological subtype is outlined. Then, the definition for thirteen distinct hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes is reviewed. For each of these subtypes, unresolved issues regarding their definitions are highlighted, including recommendations for these problematic areas. Finally, three methods for improving the research on hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes are proposed: (1) Use a systemic, rigorous approach for defining hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes (four-point model); (2) Once definitions for a subtype are established, it should be followed in research studies, as this common denominator enhances the ability to compare results between studies; and (3) Studies of subtypes will be more effective when morphological and molecular results are used in synergistic and iterative study designs where the results of one approach are used to refine and sharpen the results of the other. These and related efforts to better understand heterogeneity within hepatocellular carcinoma are the most promising avenue for improving patient care by individualizing patient care.
The concept of publicness in Kant’s critical method of metaphysics:

Kant’s writings on political philosophy do not clearly and conclusively determine its place and significance in his critical philosophy. To address this issue, most accounts of Kant’s political phi...
Anti-tumor effects of duramycin-IgG conjugate

4561 Duramycin is a nonadecapeptide antibiotic obtained from Streptoverticillium Cinnamomeus which recognizes strictly the structure of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and forms an equimolar complex with the phospholipids on biological membranes. The molecule has a high amount of cross-linking, including thioester linkage of lanthionine and an imino bridge of lysinoalanine which may account for its unique stability. Duramycin forms aqueous pores in the membranes after its binding to PE. It shows hemolytic activity against erythrocytes of various animal species. We hypothesized that PE, like phosphatidylserine, would become exposed on tumor vasculature as a result of exposure to stress conditions in the tumor microenvironment. It is known that PE as well as PS is exposed on the cell surface during the early stages of apoptosis, resulting in the loss of asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in the plasma membrane bilayer. To detect cell surface phosphatidylethanolamine, we generated duramycin-IgG conjugate which retains its PE binding capacity while losing its hemolytic effect. The mouse IgG2a was used as the carrier protein to bring host defenses to act against cells that bind duramycin-IgG. Duramycin mouse IgG2a conjugate bound effectively to the apoptotic cell surface, but not to non-apoptotic cells. The binding to apoptotic cells was not uniform and the intense staining was observed on surface blebs of apoptotic cells. The conjugate enhanced the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by murine bone-marrow derived macrophages in vitro. After intravenous injection into mice bearing solid tumors, duramycin-IgG localized to tumor endothelium. Between 15% and 40% of tumor blood vessels were stained. Necrotic regions of tumors were also stained. In contrast, none of the blood vessels in normal tissues were stained. The duramycin-IgG conjugate inhibited the growth of syngeneic MethA tumors in BALB/c mice. No toxicity was observed in mice treated with the conjugate. Histological examinations of mouse MethA tumors from duramycin-IgG treated mice revealed large numbers of macrophages in the tumor interstitium and attachment to the tumor endothelium. Conclusion: Duramycin-IgG is a promising reagent for clinical studies of cancer patients.
Osteoclast-Like Giant Cell Tumors of the Pancreas: Clinical Characteristics, Genetic Testing, and Treatment Modalities.

Objectives This study sought to better characterize patient characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes for osteoclast-like giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas, a rare subtype of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods This is a retrospective study of all patients with osteoclast-like giant cell carcinoma of pancreatic origin treated at Mayo Clinic from 2000 to present. Baseline patient characteristics, treatment modalities utilized, and outcomes were compiled. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Results Fifteen patients met criteria for inclusion. Four patients had distant metastases at diagnosis, the remaining 11 with locoregional disease. Median OS for the entire cohort was 11 months. Metastatic disease was associated with significantly shorter OS (3.5 vs 14.1 months; P = 0.005). Three patients had no evidence of disease at time of analysis; all 3 were treated with complete resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions Osteoclast-like giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. For patients with locoregional disease, surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemoradiation may play a role in extended disease-free survival. Metastatic disease presents a challenging entity to treat with little data to support any effective chemotherapy regimens.
Three-point I-V spectroscopy deconvolves region-specific degradations in LDMOS transistors

Unlike traditional logic transistors, hot carrier degradation (HCD) in power transistors involves simultaneous and potentially correlated degradation in multiple regions. One must deconvolve and characterize the voltage- and temperature-dependence of these region-specific degradations to develop a predictive HCD model of power transistors. Unfortunately, power transistors' doping and geometrical complexities make it challenging to use traditional defect-profiling techniques, such as charge-pumping or gated-diode methods. This Letter uses a physics-based tandem-FET model of an Laterally Diffused MOS (LDMOS) transistor to develop a “three-point I–V spectroscopy” technique that uses the time-evolution of three critical points of the measured I–V characteristics to extract mobility and threshold voltage degradations in the channel and drift regions. This innovative approach should generalize to other configurations of the LDMOS transistor as well.
Hepatic glycogen deposition in a patient with anorexia nervosa and persistently abnormal transaminase levels

Anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders characterized by calorie restriction have been associated with a variety of hepatic abnormalities. Fatty steatosis has been described in eating disorder patients. We report the rare finding of glycogen accumulation in the liver in a patient with anorexia nervosa, which to our knowledge is only the second such case reported in the literature. This case highlights the importance of monitoring for liver abnormalities in patients with restrictive eating disorders.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC Motor Vehicles: Ban Obscene Bumper Stickers

The Act defines a new misdemeanor which prohibits a person from knowingly affixing or attaching an obscene bumper sticker to any motor vehicle that a person owns, operates, or uses.
Construction of a 3D object recognition and manipulation database from grasp demonstrations

Object recognition and manipulation are critical for enabling robots to operate in household environments. Many grasp planners can estimate grasps based on object shape, but they ignore key information about non-visual object characteristics. Object model databases can account for this information, but existing methods for database construction are time and resource intensive. We present an easy-to-use system for constructing object models for 3D object recognition and manipulation made possible by advances in web robotics. The database consists of point clouds generated using a novel iterative point cloud registration algorithm. The system requires no additional equipment beyond the robot, and non-expert users can demonstrate grasps through an intuitive web interface. We validate the system with data collected from both a crowdsourcing user study and expert demonstration. We show that the demonstration approach outperforms purely vision-based grasp planning approaches for a wide variety of object classes.
Preparation of Epithelial and Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Murine Mammary Gland

The mammary gland is a complex organ consisting of multiple cell types that undergo extensive remodeling during pregnancy and involution, cyclical changes that suggest the existence of a resident stem cell population that is responsible for this remarkable tissue regeneration. The basic functional unit of the mammary gland is the terminal duct lobular unit, which invades the stromal tissue (fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, etc.). Luminal epithelial cells line the ducts while outer myoepithelial cells secrete the basal lamina that separates the mammary gland parenchyma from the mesenchymal cells of the stroma. Within the epithelial cell population of the ducts resides the mammary gland stem cells and it is believed that this population is the origin of the mammary gland cancer stem cells as well. In the mouse, epithelial stem cells can be separated from mesenchymal cells on the basis of CD24, CD44 and CD49f expression. This allows for the determination of both normal and cancer stem cell potential of these two populations and permits investigation into their interaction in tumour development.
Arginine Decarboxylase from Escherichia coli: I. PURIFICATION AND SPECIFICITY FOR SUBSTRATES AND COENZYME

Abstract The inducible arginine decarboxylase of Escherichia coli, a pyridoxal-P enzyme, has been purified to a specific activity of 410 µmoles of CO2 per min per mg. It can be crystallized from ammonium sulfate solutions without increase in specific activity, sediments as a single species in the analytical ultracentrifuge, and shows only slight impurities on acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Its preferred substrate is l-arginine (Km, 0.65 mm, Vmax, 500 µmoles per min per mg), but l-canavanine (Km, 1.2 mm) also is attacked at a rate 40% of that for l-arginine. Several other guanido and ureido derivatives are not attacked by the enzyme but do inhibit it competitively; the most effective of these inhibitors are α-chloro-δ-guanidovaleric acid (Ki, 0.026 mm) and α-hydroxy-δ-guanidovaleric acid (Ki, 0.19 mm). The pH optimum of arginine decarboxylase is 5.2 and the temperature optimum is 37–40°. Its absorption spectrum has maxima at 280 and 420 mµ and is not affected by variations in pH between 5.2 and 9.0. The formyl group of pyridoxal-P in arginine decarboxylase is bound to the e-amino group of a lysine residue. The holodecarboxylase can be resolved by dialysis against cysteine and reconstituted by addition of excess pyridoxal-P; it binds 10 moles of pyridoxal-P per mole (850,000 g). The apoenzyme is also reactivated by 2-norpyridoxal-P, ω-methylpyridoxal-P, and 6-methylpyridoxal-P, although its affinity for these pyridoxal-P analogues and the affinity of the resulting analogue holoenzymes for arginine are reduced by these structural alterations. Pyridoxal, 5-deoxypyridoxal, 2-nor-2-butylpyridoxal-P, and β-(2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-formylpyridine-5)-propionic acid do not reactivate the apoenzyme but do inhibit its reactivation by pyridoxal-P when present in sufficient concentrations.
State Activism and State Censorship

Recent political debates prompted by the Supreme Court's flag burning decisions have once more demonstrated the depth of the nation's commitment to freedom of speech.1 Although the Court's determination to treat flag burning as an act of political expression, and thus to protect it from state interference, provoked a strong, hostile response from both the President and members of Congress, leading some to call for a constitutional amendment, the campaign to reverse the Court on this issue quickly faded. There was a sense in the body politic that the First Amendment is not simply a technical legal rule, to be amended whenever it produces inconvenient results, but rather an organizing principle of society, central to our self-understanding as a nation and foundational to a vast network of highly cherished social practices and institutions. It can be amended only at the risk of changing the very nature of society. The principle of freedom that the First Amendment embodies is derived from the
Disruption of CD40/CD40-Ligand Interactions in a Retinal Autoimmunity Model Results in Protection without Tolerance

We examined the role of CD40/CD40L interactions on the development of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a cell-mediated, Th1-driven autoimmune disease that serves as a model for autoimmune uveitis in humans. EAU-susceptible B10.RIII mice immunized with the retinal autoantigen interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein in CFA and treated with anti-CD40L Ab (MR1) had reduced incidence and severity of disease. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the innate and adaptive responses of protected mice were reduced, without an obvious shift toward a Th2 cytokine profile. In contrast to some other reports, no evidence was found for regulatory cells in adoptive transfer experiments. To determine whether CD40L blockade resulted in long-term tolerance, mice protected by treatment with MR1 Ab were rechallenged for uveitis after circulating MR1 Ab levels dropped below the detection limit of ELISA. MR1-treated mice developed severe EAU and strong cellular responses to interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein, comparable to those of control mice. These responses were higher than in mice that had not received the primary immunization concurrently with anti-CD40L treatment. We conclude that 1) CD40/CD40L interaction is required for EAU and its disruption prevents disease development; 2) CD40L blockade inhibits the innate response to immunization and reduces priming, but does not result in immune deviation; and 3) protection is dependent on persistence of anti-CD40L Abs, and long-term tolerance is not induced. Furthermore, immunological memory develops under cover of CD40L blockade causing enhanced responses upon rechallenge. Taken together, our data suggest that ongoing CD40/CD40L blockade might be required to maintain a therapeutic effect against uveitis.
Surface temperature effects on boundary-layer transition

Paroi Concave," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Paris, 1987. Hall, P., "Taylor-Gortler Vortices in Fully Developed or Boundary Layer Flow," Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 124, 1982, pp. 475-494. Aihara, Y., "Nonlinear Analysis of Gortler Vortices," Physics of Fluids, Vol. 19, 1976, pp. 1655-1660. Floryan, J. M., and Saric, W. S., "Stability of Gortler Vortices in Boundary Layers," AIAA Journal, Vol. 20, 1982, pp. 316-324. Potter, M. C., and Chawla, M. D., "Stability of Boundary Layer Flow Subject to Rotation," Physics of Fluids, Vol. 14, 1971, pp. 2278-2281. Mutabazi, I., Normand, C., and Wesfreid, J. E., "Coriolis Effects on Hydrodynamic Centrifugal Instabilities," Physics of Fluids, Vol. A4, 1992, pp. 1199-1205. Matsson, J. E., and Alfredsson, P. M., "Curvature and RotationInduced Instabilities in Channel Flow," Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 210, 1990, pp. 537-563. Herbert, T., "On the Stability of the Boundary Layer Along a Concave wall," Archive of Mechanics, Vol. 28, 1976, pp. 1039-1055. Reed, H. L., and Saric, W. S., "Stability of Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers," Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 21, 1989, pp. 235-284.
Properties of Spectral Moments with Applications to Random Vibration

It is shown that many important reliability measures related to stationary random motion require the knowledge of two spectral parameters which depend on the first few moments of the reduced spectral density function. The first is a characteristic frequency, the second a unitless measure of the variability in the frequency content, i.e., of the bandwidth or the dispersion of the spectral density about its central frequency. For general stationary random processes, the spectral parameters are simply related to the mean square values of the process, its envelope, and their respective time derivatives. For Gaussian processes, other statistical properties, e.g., average barrier crossing rates, clump sizes, and maximum response characteristics, are importantly related to these parameters. A derivation is given for the spectral moments of the stationary response of damped linear multidegree-of-freedom systems for which classical modal analysis is possible.
Mechanism of initiator-mediated transcription: evidence for a functional interaction between the TATA-binding protein and DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence.

Abstract Promoters containing Sp1 binding sites and an initiator element but lacking a TATA box direct high levels of accurate transcription initiation by using a mechanism that requires the TATA-binding protein (TBP). We have begun to address the role of TBP during transcription from Sp1-initiator promoters by varying the nucleotide sequence between -14 and -33 relative to the start site. With each of several promoters containing different upstream sequences, we detected accurate transcription both in vitro and in vivo, but the promoter strengths varied widely, particularly with the in vitro assay. The variable promoter activities correlated with, but were not proportional to, the abilities of the upstream sequences to function as TATA boxes, as assessed by multiple criteria. These results confirm that accurate transcription can proceed in the presence of an initiator, regardless of the sequence present in the -30 region. However, the results reveal a role for this upstream region, most consistent with a model in which initiator-mediated transcription requires binding of TBP to the upstream DNA in the absence of a specific recognition sequence. Moreover, in vivo it appears that the promoter strength is modulated less severely by altering the -30 sequence, consistent with a previous suggestion that TBP is not rate limiting in vivo for TATA-less promoters. Taken together, these results suggest that variations in the structure of a core promoter might alter the rate-limiting step for transcription initiation and thereby alter the potential modes of transcriptional regulation, without severely changing the pathway used to assemble a functional preinitiation complex.
Data‐Driven Storytelling: The Missing Link in HR Data Analytics

Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ert.21471 27 is from a C-level executive who had experienced his first ever one-on-one data meeting with an HR data team. After reviewing the newly created dashboard data, he relayed his impression of it to me: “It’s really cute that HR has data now.” As someone who has been in the HR field for over 30 years, and who is a true believer in the power of data to drive decision making, that remark seemed like a crushing blow to all the good work that has been achieved in the area of HR analytics. All the good work goes down the drain quickly when a senior leader, with a loud corporate voice, has a bad experience. That is the ugly.
Adaptive Carbon Monoxide Kinetics for Exhaust Aftertreatment Modeling

Future emission standards are driving the need for advanced control of both Spark (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) engines. However, even with the implementation of cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Low Temperature Combustion (LTC), it is unlikely that in-cylinder combustion strategies alone will reduce emissions to levels below the proposed standards. As a result, researchers are developing complex catalytic aftertreatment systems to meet these tailpipe regulations for both conventional and alternative combustion regimes. Simulating these exhaust systems requires fast and accurate models suitable for significant changes in inlet conditions. Most aftertreatment devices contain Platinum Group Metals because of their widely documented beneficial catalysis properties; examples include Diesel Oxidation Catalysts, Three-Way Catalysts and Lean NOx Traps. There are kinetic mechanisms available for each of these devices, but often they do not extrapolate well to other formulations. For example, Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels entering a catalyst are significantly different between an SI and CI engine. In addition, modifying engine control to utilize LTC operation can result in an increase in CO levels due to lower combustion efficiency. This adversely affects the conversion capabilities of a catalytic device through increased levels of CO inhibition. Finally, catalyst loading and metal dispersion differences between devices often prohibit a direct extension of kinetic constants. As a result, mechanisms often need recalibration for correct modeling capabilities. In order to begin creating a more predictive kinetic mechanism, this paper simulates CO oxidation as a function of different inlet concentration levels and metal loadings. While aftertreatment devices contain many reactions, modeling of one fundamental reaction is a first step to determine the feasibility of adaptive kinetics. In addition, research into the history of the CO oxidation mechanism over platinum illustrates a more accurate rate expression to utilize in deference to current modeling activities. The authors calibrate this expression to experimental data taking into account significant changes in inlet conditions, metal loading and dispersion values. Model fidelity is determined through the simulation of additional data not part of the initial calibration efforts. In addition, the paper discusses strengths and weaknesses of the model along with how other researchers can help foster adaptive kinetic development.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Isolation and Chemistry of Tantalum(V) Compounds Containing Two Resolved 3,3‘-Disubstituted-1,1‘-bi-2,2‘-Naphthoxide Ligands

Reaction of dimeric [(Et2N)2Cl2Ta(μ-Cl)2TaCl2(NEt2)2] with (R)-[H2O2C20H10(R)2-3,3‘] (R = SiMe3, SiMe2Ph, SiMePh2, or SiPh3) produces the 3,3‘-dialkyl-1,1‘-bi-2,2‘-naphthoxido complexes (R,R)-[H2NEt2][Ta(O2C20H10{R}2-3,3‘)2Cl2] (R = SiMe3, (R,R)-1; SiMe2Ph, (R,R)-2; SiMePh2, (R,R)-3; SiPh3, (R,R)-4). Structural studies of the SiMe3 derivative (R,R)-1 show a pseudo-octahedral anion with mutually cis chloride ligands. Although NMR studies indicate that the anion of (R,R)-1 is stable in DMSO-d6, an equilibrium mixture is observed in C6D6 solution with the neutral complex (R,R)-[Ta{O2C20H10(SiMe3)2-3,3‘}2Cl], (R,R)-1a, and [H2NEt2]Cl. The temperature dependence of the equilibrium has been studied. Addition of [nBu4N]Cl to a mixture of (R,R)-1/(R,R)-1a in C6D6 is shown (1H NMR) to shift the equilibrium toward (R,R)-1. Alkylation of (R,R)-1 with Grignard reagents RMgCl results in formation of the five-coordinate (R,R)-[Ta(O2C20H10{SiMe3}2-3,3‘}2R‘] (R‘ = CH2SiMe3, (R,R)-5; CH2Ph, (R,R)-6; c-C5H9, (R,R)-7).
Combined analysis of monocyte and lymphocyte messenger RNA expression with serum protein profiles in patients with scleroderma.

Objective We attempted to elucidate possible pathogenetic mechanisms in scleroderma by analysis of gene expression patterns of purified monocytes and lymphocytes, as well as protein profiles of cytokines and growth factors. Methods Expression analysis was performed on messenger RNA (mRNA) from cells that had been purified with magnetic beads. Plasma samples from the same patients were used for multiplex cytokine analysis. Potential sources of proteins were also examined by in situ hybridization of skin specimens. Results A total of 1,800 genes from monocytes and 863 genes from CD4+ T cells were differentially expressed in scleroderma patients. As observed by other investigators using unfractionated peripheral blood cells from patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases, the cell type–specific analyses of our scleroderma samples showed expression of genes suggesting the presence of interferon-α (IFNα), despite the apparent absence of this cytokine in plasma. IFNα RNA was, however, expressed at enhanced levels in vascular and perivascular cells in scleroderma skin samples. While levels of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-16 were among 10 proteins found to be significantly elevated in scleroderma patients, none of the large panel of plasma cytokines we analyzed correlated with the expression levels of putative IFN response genes. Conclusion The pattern of up-regulation of mRNA in both the monocytes and CD4 lymphocytes of scleroderma patients, together with the detection of IFNα RNA in the microvasculature, suggests that leukocytes respond to this cytokine locally in the vessels. Detection of high levels of IL-1α and IL-16 in plasma and the independence of these protein levels from the IFN signature, implicates an independent contribution of other cytokines to immune activation and/or inflammation in scleroderma.
Synthesis of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Using Traditional Heterogeneous Ziegler−Natta Catalyst Systems

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene was synthesized from traditional Ziegler−Natta type catalysts (ZN), namely, TiCl4 anchored on MgCl2 support. This, upon activation with AlRR′2 (where R, R′ = isoprenyl or isobutyl), gave precatalysts (C-2 to C-5) having 16, 21, 25, and 32% trivalent titanium, respectively. The reduction in oxidation states also accompanies the reduction in particle size of the catalysts, which in turn gets reflected in the resulting polymer properties under specified operating conditions. We have demonstrated the effect of process conditions that can surmount the catalyst dependency over the polymer characteristics, and hence, it can result in polymer with consistent polymer properties, which is an important need of the polymer industries. The polymer characteristics such as particle size distribution, average particle size, bulk density, reduced specific viscosity, and concentration of fine and coarse particles were determined and were dependent on various process parameters. Under...
Transient irradiation-induced creep of nickel during deuteron bombardment

Abstract The transient irradiation-induced creep of cold worked, high purity nickel was investigated during bombardment with 22 MeV deuterons at 224°C. The results indicate that the transient creep stage was complete after irradiation for 8 h. Microstructural characterization of specimens irradiated for 2, 4, and 8 h revealed a rapid decrease in dislocation density and a similar increase in defect cluster/loop density with increased irradiation time. The measured creep rates were compared with transient creep rates calculated on the basis of the microstructural data. The comparison shows that a climb-controlled glide mechanism was in agreement with the measured transient creep rates.
Hargitai, Peter. 2013. Who Let the Bats Out? Twisted Tales from Transylvania. Bloomington: iUniverse. 170 pp., illus. Dianne Marlene Hargitai

Hargitai, Peter. 2013. Who Let the Bats Out? Twisted Tales from Transylvania. Bloomington: iUniverse. 170 pp., illus. Dianne Marlene Hargitai. Reviewed by Martha Pereszlenyi-Pinter, John Carroll University