cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interplay between protein synthesis and degradation in the CNS: physiological and pathological implications

Compromise of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is a potential basis for multiple physiological abnormalities and pathologies in the CNS. This could be because reduced protein turnover leads to bulk intracellular protein accumulation. However, conditions associated with compromised UPS function are also associated with impairments in protein synthesis, and impairment of UPS function is sufficient to inhibit protein synthesis. These data suggest that the toxicity of UPS inhibition need not depend on gross intracellular protein accumulation, and indicate the potential for crosstalk between the UPS and protein-synthesis pathways. In this review, we discuss evidence for interplay between the UPS and protein-synthesis machinery, and outline the implications of this crosstalk for physiological and pathological processes in the CNS.
Effect of combinations of antioxidants on phagocyte-induced sister-chromatid exchanges

Combinations of oxygen radical scavengers and antioxidants significantly reduced the number of sister-chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster ovary cells exposed to human phagocytes stimulated to generate oxygen radicals. When vitamin E was combined with these antioxidants, no increase in sister-chromatid exchanges was observed compared to controls.
Two-way automata and length-preserving homomorphisms

Closure underlength-preserving homomorphisms is interesting because of its similarity tonondeterminism. We give a characterization of NP in terms of length-preserving homomorphisms and present related complexity results. However, we mostly study the case of two-way finite automata: Let l.p.hom[n state 2DFA] denote the class of languages that are length-preserving homomorphic images of languages recognized byn-state 2DFAs. We give a machine characterization of this class. We show that any language accepted by ann-state two-wayalternating finite automaton (2AFA), or by a l-pebble 2NFA, belongs to l.p.hom[O(n 2) state 2DFA]. Moreover, there are languages in l.p.hom[n state 2DFA] whose smallest accepting 2NFA has at leastc n states (for some constantc > 1). So for two-way finite automata, the closure under length-preserving homomorphisms is much more powerful than nondeterminism. We disprove two conjectures (of Meyer and Fischer, and of Chrobak) about the state-complexity of unary languages. Finally, we show that the equivalence problems for 2AFAs (resp. 1-pebble 2NFAs) are in PSPACE, and that the equivalence problem for 1-pebble 2AFAs is in ExpSPACE (thus answering a question of Jiang and Ravikumar); it was known that these problems are hard in these two classes. We also give a new proof that alternating 1-pebble machines recognize only regular languages (which was first proved by Goralciket al.).
Credit-based source-adaptive multilayered video multicast

Abstract Spatial and temporal variations in network bandwidth constraints constitute serious challenges to the multicast distribution of real-time video content. This paper presents a video multicast algorithm that combines multilayered video encoding with feedback-based source adaptation in order to address varying bandwidth constraints in a multicast tree. The proposed algorithm uses a novel credit-based, hop-by-hop multicast flow control mechanism in conjunction with explicit rate congestion feedback. It achieves nearly optimal network utilization at the expense of packet losses that are isolated to low priority video content. The responsiveness, bandwidth utilization, scalability, video quality and fairness of the proposed mechanism are evaluated through simulations, and results suggest that the proposed mechanism is capable of providing a high quality video service in the presence of varying bandwidth constraints.
Power engineering: initiatives at the University of Florida

A unique structure for the electric power engineering program at the University of Florida has been developed involving industry, university and government. This structure has distinct advantages in pursuing research objectives, obtaining funding, and promoting the energy field and education. The author presents the power program and the strategic improvements that have been made in the areas of research, funding, industrial linkages, continuing education and instruction. >
In search of efficient n-type skutterudite thermoelectrics

Filled skutterudites continue to draw attention as prospective novel thermoelectric materials for power generation applications in the range of temperatures around 700 K-800 K. High ZT values established on the p-type forms of R/sub y/Co/sub x/Fe/sub 4-x/Sb/sub 12/ (R standing for a rare earth element) some time ago are now being approached with the n-type forms of filled skutterudites. I review the work done during the past two years in developing various n-type filled skutterudites with the dimensionless figure of merit in excess of unity.
The mood stabilizers lithium and valproate selectively activate the promoter IV of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been strongly implicated in the synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival and pathophysiology of depression. Lithium and valproic acid (VPA) are two primary mood-stabilizing drugs used to treat bipolar disorder. Treatment of cultured rat cortical neurons with therapeutic concentrations of LiCl or VPA selectively increased the levels of exon IV (formerly rat exon III)-containing BDNF mRNA, and the activity of BDNF promoter IV. Surprisingly, lithium- or VPA-responsive element(s) in promoter IV resides in a region upstream from the calcium-responsive elements (CaREs) responsible for depolarization-induced BDNF induction. Moreover, activation of BDNF promoter IV by lithium or VPA occurred in cortical neurons depolarized with KCl, and deletion of these three CaREs did not abolish lithium- or VPA-induced activation. Lithium and VPA are direct inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), respectively. We showed that lithium-induced activation of promoter IV was mimicked by pharmacological inhibition of GSK-3 or short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing of GSK-3alpha or GSK-3beta isoforms. Furthermore, treatment with other HDAC inhibitors, sodium butyrate and trichostatin A, or transfection with an HDAC1-specific siRNA also activated BDNF promoter IV. Our study demonstrates for the first time that GSK-3 and HDAC are respective initial targets for lithium and VPA to activate BDNF promoter IV, and that this BDNF induction involves a novel responsive region in promoter IV of the BDNF gene. Our results have strong implications for the therapeutic actions of these two mood stabilizers.
Workers' compensation in the United States: high costs, low benefits

Studies suggest that income replacement is low for many workers with serious occupational injuries and illnesses. This review discusses three areas that hold promi se for raising benefits to workers while redu cing workers ' compensation costs to employers: impr oving saf ety, containing medical costs, and reducing litigation. In theory , workers ' compensation increases the costs to employers of injuries and so provides incentives to improve safety . Yet, taken as a whole, research does not provide convincing evidence that workers ' compensation reduces injury rates. Moreover, unlike safety and health regulation, worke rs' compen­ sation focuses the attention of employers on individual workers. High costs may lead employers to discourage claims and litigate when claims are filed. Contr olling medical costs can reduce workers ' compensation costs. Most studies, however, have focused on costs and have not addressed the eff ective­ ness of medical care or patient satisf action. Research also has shown that workers ' compensation systems can reduce the need for litigation. Without litigation, benefits can be delivered more quickly and at lower costs.
The Work of Sex Work: Elite Prostitutes' Vocational Orientations and Experiences

ABSTRACT Based on data obtained from open-ended interviews with call girls and escorts, this article examines prostitutes' views of prostitution as paid work. Although the meaning of conventional work has been widely studied, far less attention has been paid to “crime as work,” particularly crime involving women and sexual labor. This article examines the meaning of work for elite prostitutes by exploring prostitutes' work/career orientations; their analyses of their market and relationships with customers; their views of prostitution compared to other work; and what factors influence their choices to engage in prostitution.
Atherogenic scavenger receptor modulation in the tubulointerstitium in response to chronic renal injury

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and their scavenger receptor (SR) binding partners play a central role in atherosclerosis and by analogy may play a role in chronic kidney disease pathogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate in C57BL/6 mice the effects of hypercholesterolemia on renal injury severity and oxLDL generation after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The expression profiles of CD36, SR class AI/II (SR-A), lectin-like receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein-1 (Lox-1), and SR that binds phosphatidylserine and oxLDL (SR-PSOX/CXCL16) were examined. Four experimental groups were studied: sham and UUO male mice on either a high-fat Western diet or a control diet. Significantly more oxLDL accumulated in the tubulointerstitium of hypercholesterolemic mice compared with normocholesterolemic mice after 14 days of UUO (P < 0.01). Total kidney collagen was significantly higher in the obstructed kidneys of hypercholesterolemic mice compared with normocholesterolemic mice on day 14 (P < 0.01). After 14 days of obstruction, the number of interstitial F4/80+ macrophages and NF-kappaB activation increased in hypercholesterolemic mice compared with normocholesterolemic mice (P < 0.01). In normal kidneys, CD36, SR-A, Lox-1, and CXCL16 were primarily localized to renal tubular epithelia. After ureteral obstruction, CD36 increased at day 7; SR-A and Lox-1 progressively decreased in a time-dependent manner; and CXCL16 increased significantly with the onset of obstruction (P < 0.01). Strong tubular expression suggests that in addition to inflammatory interstitial cells, renal tubular scavenger receptors may help to orchestrate the inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways that are activated by oxLDL.
Normalization of intraoperative parathyroid hormone does not predict normal postoperative parathyroid function

Background Intraoperative measurement of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) has been used increasingly as a means of confirming complete removal of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. It remains uncertain, however, whether normalization of iPTH levels at operation accurately predicts postoperative values of iPTH. Methods Forty-five consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent parathyroidectomy between March and November 1999. Baseline intraoperative iPTH levels were measured before and at manipulation, then subsequently at 5 and 10 min after tissue was removed. Follow-up values were measured at 1- and 3-month intervals. Results Before operation the mean(s.d.) iPTH concentration was 211(182) pg ml−1 with a mean serum calcium level of 11·4(1·0) mg dl−1. In all but four patients, the final intraoperative iPTH normalized to absolute values below 60 pg ml−1 (mean 38(36) pg ml−1). One week after operation, serum calcium levels had returned to normal (mean 9·2(0·9) mg dl−1) and this correlated directly with final intraoperative iPTH values when assessed by linear regression analysis (r = 0·373, P < 0·03). By 1 month, all but two patients were normocalcaemic (mean 9·6(0·6) mg dl−1) with a mean iPTH of 81(99) pg ml−1. There was no correlation between the final intraoperative iPTH and postoperative iPTH values as determined by linear regression analysis (r = 0·035, P < 0·881). Both patients with persistent hypercalcaemia at 1 month had appropriate intraoperative decreases in iPTH level. Conclusion Although there is significant correlation between intraoperative iPTH levels and postoperative serum calcium levels, this does not hold true for postoperative iPTH levels. There was a 4 per cent failure rate in correcting postoperative calcium levels and a 20 per cent failure rate in normalizing postoperative iPTH levels despite appropriate intraoperative decreases in iPTH. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
Endovascular Management of Chronic Infrarenal Aortic Occlusion

PURPOSE To review our experience with the endovascular treatment of chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion with regard to technical success and midterm patency, as well as perioperative mortality and morbidity. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of patients who presented from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2005, with a diagnosis of chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion (TASC D) treated with endovascular techniques. In this time period, 31 patients (22 women; mean age 63 years) underwent attempted recanalization of the occluded aorta and iliac arteries. Claudication was the most common presenting symptom (14, 45%). Patients were treated solely with angioplasty and stenting or thrombolysis followed by angioplasty/stenting based on surgeon preference. RESULTS Technical success was 93%. The 2 failures were individual cases of wire-induced iliac artery perforation and failed access; both patients were treated with bypass grafting. Nine (29%) patients had thrombolysis prior to angioplasty. There were no perioperative deaths. Postoperative ankle-brachial indexes increased significantly from preoperative values (p<0.0001). There were 3 technical complications: 1 (3%) iatrogenic iliac artery injury and 2 (6%) perioperative limb thromboses requiring intervention. Other complications included 6 (19%) access site events and 5 (16%) episodes of acute renal dysfunction, 2 requiring permanent dialysis. Over a mean follow-up of 12 months, there was no limb loss. At 1 and 3 years, the primary/secondary patency rates were 85%/100% and 66%/90%, respectively. CONCLUSION Endovascular therapy for chronic infrarenal aortic occlusion has a high technical success rate, with good midterm primary and secondary patency rates. However, renal dysfunction can occur; the etiology is likely multifactorial from contrast volumes, embolization, and/or renal arterial disease.
Historical Perspective: S. Leonard Syme's influence on the development of social epidemiology and where we go from there

This article accompanies Len Syme's "Historical Perspective: The social determinants of disease – some roots of the movement." It describes some of Len's role in the development of social epidemiology through mentoring investigators and influencing training programs. It also discusses some challenges for the field and ways to move forward.
Hobbesian Hierarchy: The Political Economy of Political Organization

Hierarchy is a nearly ubiquitous form of political organization. This article examines the concept of hierarchy and addresses three questions. What is hierarchy? When is it selected? Why does it matter? I outline and make explicit a theoretical approach common to the disparate literatures on political parties, domestic structures, and international relations. Drawn from the theory of the firm in economics, this relational contracting approach focuses on how hierarchy reduces transaction costs and safeguards specific assets, and it explains the nature and persistence of hierarchy and why it develops in some strategic settings and not others. Relational contracting theory has clear limitations, however, whose gaps are highlighted and sometimes filled by alternative approaches to understanding hierarchy. Integrating relational contracting theory with these alternatives promises a more complete approach.
Therapeutic use of psychological reports.

The use of psychological reports in a therapeu tic manner is not new. Psychologists and th erapists have collaborated in the past to de termine th e most effective means of relaying appropria te information to a patient about his test results. Yet Baker (1964) has published th e on ly art icle we could find in th e lit erature dealing exclusively with such collabora tion and with the interpretation of test results to patients. This paper will present on e method of using psycho logical test ing in a therapeutic manner with child and adolescent psychia tric pati ents and th ei r parents. Two cases, including the psychological reports and the pa tients' respon ses to the reports , illustrate the potential ntility of th e method wit hin th e ongo ing therapeutic relationship. Baker (1961) recommends that the psychologist, patient, and if possible th e therapi st meet for a th reeor four-hour di scussion of test responses and interpretations. T he method bei ng described here is to write a report for the th era pist to share wit h the patient. At the tim e of referral , the th erapist in a discussion wit h the psychologist decides if he wants such a report. If they agree that this method will
Convenient One-Step Dialkylation of Diethyl Malonate With Sodium Hydride

(1971). Convenient One-Step Dialkylation of Diethyl Malonate With Sodium Hydride. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 305-306.
Trends in advanced motor protection and monitoring

Industrial manufacturers strive to maximize uptime of plant operations and processes. However, downtime can be a valuable asset and present many opportunities to address those critical maintenance items that can impact reliability. Since motors and associated driven equipment comprise almost 90 percent of the process loads, identifying and correcting these mechanical and electrical maintenance problems will reduce unplanned production shutdowns and significantly increase business profits. This paper explores the various protection technologies available to the plant and design engineer for implementation of a cost effective and reliability centered motor management program.
Spectrum of metabolic dysfunction in relationship with hyperandrogenemia in obese adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adult women is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and atherosclerosis. We evaluated the spectrum of metabolic dysfunction in relationship with hyperandrogenemia (HA) in adolescent girls with PCOS. Materials and methods: Ovulatory function, acne, hirsutism (HS), body mass index (BMI), body composition, fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, free testosterone (FT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and HbA1c were evaluated in 103 girls. The homeostatic assessment model equations (HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B) were used for determination of insulin resistance and b-cell function respectively. Results: The oligo-ovulation (Oligo)CHACHS (nZ44), OligoCHA (nZ28), and OligoCHS (nZ31) phenotypes had similar BMI. However, hyperandrogenemic phenotypes had higher prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) and acne (P!0.01) and higher insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-%B, HbA1c, and hs-CRP levels than OligoCHS group (P!0.01). Serum FT was correlated with HOMA-IR (rZ0.38, P!0.01), HOMA-%B (rZ0.49, P!0.01), hs-CRP (rZ0.42, P!0.01), AN (rZ0.39, P!0.01), and HbA1c (rZ0.27, P!0.01). Furthermore, 34% of girls met diagnostic criteria for MS displaying higher BMI, FT, HOMA-%B, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, and HbA1c than subjects without MS (P!0.01). Using combined HOMA-IRR4.0 and hs-CRPO3.0 cut-off values, 71.4% of MS versus 23.5% non-MS group were considered at risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis (P!0.0001). Conclusions: Hyperandrogenemic PCOS phenotypes have greatest degree of insulin resistance and inflammation. The use of insulin resistance and inflammatory markers may help identify adolescent girls with PCOS at risk of cardiometabolic syndrome.
Multi-scale Topological Features for Hand Posture Representation and Analysis

In this paper, we propose a multi-scale topological feature representation for automatic analysis of hand posture. Such topological features have the advantage of being posture-dependent while being preserved under certain variations of illumination, rotation, personal dependency, etc. Our method studies the topology of the holes between the hand region and its convex hull. Inspired by the principle of Persistent Homology, which is the theory of computational topology for topological feature analysis over multiple scales, we construct the multi-scale Betti Numbers matrix (MSBNM) for the topological feature representation. In our experiments, we used 12 different hand postures and compared our features with three popular features (HOG, MCT, and Shape Context) on different data sets. In addition to hand postures, we also extend the feature representations to arm postures. The results demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the proposed method.
A design and analysis tool for underactuated compliant hands

Highly underactuated and passively adaptive robotic hands have shown great promise for robust performance in unstructured settings. In order to fully realize this potential, efficient tools are needed to analyze the execution of a grasp when using this class of devices. Along this line, this paper introduces a quasistatic analysis method for underactuated hands. First, we predict whether initial contacts between the fingers and the object are stable throughout the execution of a grasp, or the fingers will slip as the hand closes. Second, we compute the unbalanced forces applied to the object during the grasping process. Finally, once the grasp is complete, we analyze its stability as actuator forces are increased. These computations are performed in 3D, allow arbitrary kinematic structure of the fingers or geometry of the target object and take into account frictional constraints. We discuss applications of this method focusing on both on-line computation to execute a specific grasping task and off-line optimization to increase the range of grasps that can be performed using a given hand model.
The Effects of Supervisor and Subordinate Age on Objective Performance and Subjective Performance Ratings

The effects of subordinate and supervisor age on objective and subjective performance ratings were examined in a field study covering the period from 1980 through 1986. Archival data on sales representatives and their supervisors were collected from the southern United States region of a large corporation. Results revealed that older employees performed better according to objective measures as well as on subjective performance ratings. Findings also demonstrated that subordinates of older supervisors achieved higher levels of objective performance than did subordinates of younger supervisors. Recommendations are discussed for theory development and experimental studies to resolve some of the inconsistencies in the literature.
Response of first generation tomato somaclone progeny to Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis

Abstract A total of 283 somaclones from 12 tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.) cultivars were generated from leaf explants and allowed to self pollinate. Seed progeny were evaluated for reaction to two strains of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis . Significant variation in disease resistance was observed. Forty-nine of the R 1 progeny lines (25%), produced from four susceptible and four partially-resistant cultivars, demonstrated increased disease resistance to either pathogen strain, based on cotyledon excision inoculations. Of these, four R 1 lines, derived from two partially-resistant cultivars, had increased resistance to both strains. In addition, 13 of the 49 R 1 lines (27%), derived from two partially resistant cvs., had reduced pathogen populations. When additional seed of 24 of the 49 R 1 lines was tested using a terminal stem (clip) excision method, three lines were again significantly more resistant than their parental cultivar. Of these, one `Bulgaria 12' R 1 line had a 130-fold reduction in its pathogen populations while the other two improved lines had pathogen populations similar to their parents. The variation in response to C. m. michiganensis was independent of parental genotype when seed progeny resulted from a single callus cycle. However, when selected R 0 somaclones received a second callus cycle, additional resistance occurred only in R2 1 progeny derived from somaclones whose parent was cv. Bulgaria 12.
Silent Synapses during Development of Thalamocortical Inputs

During development, activity-dependent mechanisms are thought to contribute to the refinement of topographical projections from the thalamus to the cortex. Because activity-dependent increases in synaptic strength may contribute to the stabilization of synaptic connections, we have explored the mechanisms of long-term potentiation (LTP) at thalamocortical synapses in rat somatosensory (barrel) cortex. During early postnatal development (postnatal days 2-5), we find that a significant proportion of thalamocortical synapses are functionally silent and that these are converted to functional synapses during LTP. Silent synapses disappear by postnatal day 8-9, the exact time at which the susceptibility of these synapses to LTP is lost. These findings suggest that the activity-dependent conversion of silent to functional synapses due to correlated pre- and postsynaptic activity may contribute to the early development and refinement of thalamocortical inputs to cortex.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions of Amine and Sulfonate onto Fine-Grained Activated Carbon for Aqueous-Phase Metal Ion Removal

Abstract Two new materials for adsorption of metal ions from aqueous media have been developed. The organic functional groups amine (–NH2) and sulfonate (–SO3H) were successfully attached to a commercially available fine‐grained activated carbon (AC) via electrophilic aromatic substitutions. The surface properties of the materials were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, BET surface area analysis, gravimetric methods, and elemental analysis. The NH2‐AC and SO3H‐AC each had a functional group density of 3 mmol/g. Batch metal ion adsorption experiments were conducted to determine metal binding properties of the adsorbent materials. Based on the distribution coefficients (K d ) of metal ions tested, the unmodified AC and sulfonated‐AC both had an affinity for metal ions in decreasing order of Nd > Lu ≈ La > Pb > Cu > Ni ≈ Cd > Mn ≈ Ca, while the amine‐AC had an affinity for metal ions in the order of Cu ≫ Nd ≈ Lu ≈ La > Pb > Ni > Cd > Mn ≈ Ca. With maximum K d values of 130,000 for amine‐AC and 25,000...
Envisioning Life “On the Outs”: Exit Narratives of Incarcerated Male Youth

In this article, the author explores the significance of "exits" for juvenile male offenders who are preparing to leave correctional institutions. The analysis focuses on practical and cognitive exit strategies, anticipated challenges, and future visions based on qualitative interviews with 20 juvenile males (ages 15-17 years) from two correctional facilities in the upper Midwest region of the United States. At the juncture of exit, all of the youth were involved in practical preparation for reentry and shared an emphasis on the theme of "individual responsibility" for their futures. However, the cognitive strategies they used to prepare for exit were strongly differentiated by level of motivation or expressed "openness" to change. Youth who had little motivation to change tended to deny the potential challenges associated with their return to the community, whereas those who expressed a greater openness to change were contemplating how to achieve an alternative, law-abiding future while realistically considering the potential pitfalls of crime temptations. Ambivalence about change was the most common pattern, expressed as a desire to move toward desistance but lacking the internal confidence or sense of social support to achieve such change. From these findings, implications for theory and practice are proposed.
Patterns of recurrence in patients with melanoma and histologically negative but RT-PCR-positive sentinel lymph nodes

BACKGROUND: We studied the patterns of recurrence of patients with only reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) evidence of regional nodal spread to see whether or not proposed treatment interventions are likely to be effective. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred seventy-five patients who underwent selective lymphadenectomy for clinical stage I and II melanomas were included in this analysis. We preserved a portion of each sentinel lymph node (SLN) in liquid nitrogen in the operating room and performed RT-PCR on the specimens to detect the melanoma/melanocyte-specific marker tyrosinase. We then compared the pattern of recurrence (regional dermal metastases, regional nodal recurrence, or distant metastatic spread) of the patients with histologically positive SLNs to that of patients who had histologically negative SLNs. RESULTS: The mean followup time of the 175 patients was 33.83 months (SD = 15.94, median = 34.17, maximum = 62.95, minimum = 6.21). Thirty-four patients had at least one histologically positive SLN, and 17 of these patients had a recurrence (50%). Of the 141 patients that had histologically negative SLNs, 73 had SLNs that were also negative for tyrosinase by RT-PCR, and none of these patients had a recurrence. Of the 68 patients that had histologically negative but RT-PCR-positive SLNs, 14 had a recurrence (20.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Because the pattern of recurrence of patients with only RT-PCR evidence of melanoma in SLNs was identical to that in patients who had histologically evident melanoma in the SLN and underwent subsequent completion lymphadenectomy, we conclude that completion lymphadenectomy might be ineffective in decreasing the recurrence rate of patients with only RT-PCR evidence of melanoma in SLNs.
Crosscurrents in European Union External Commercial Relations: The Controversy Over the Germany-United States Treaty of Friendship

In the annals of the conduct of trans-Atlantic economic relations there have been few cases as complex and curious from the legal and political perspectives as that involving the German challenge to the European Commission in the matter of the Utilities Directive of 1990. The invocation by Germany of the largely forgotten Germany-United States Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 1954 laid bare the rather unsatisfactory state of commercial legal relations between the European Union, its Member States and the United States. While the German challenge to the Commission might well have forced a restructuring of transatlantic commercial legal relations, a compromise resolution of the Germany- Commission dispute has been reached, and so for the near term at least the need for a restructuring of these relations has been averted. Nevertheless, the attention of the Commission doubtless has been fixed on the potential threat to its trade policy authority inherent in allowing the present state of affairs to continue. The longer term result is therefore likely to include an intensive review of the present state of trans-Atlantic commercial legal relations by the Commission and a proposal to restructure them in a post-Uruguay Round legal order in a manner that makes more clear the limits of Member State discretion.
Building the Partners HealthCare Biobank at Partners Personalized Medicine: Informed Consent, Return of Research Results, Recruitment Lessons and Operational Considerations

The Partners HealthCare Biobank is a Partners HealthCare enterprise-wide initiative whose goal is to provide a foundation for the next generation of translational research studies of genotype, environment, gene-environment interaction, biomarker and family history associations with disease phenotypes. The Biobank has leveraged in-person and electronic recruitment methods to enroll >30,000 subjects as of October 2015 at two academic medical centers in Partners HealthCare since launching in 2010. Through a close collaboration with the Partners Human Research Committee, the Biobank has developed a comprehensive informed consent process that addresses key patient concerns, including privacy and the return of research results. Lessons learned include the need for careful consideration of ethical issues, attention to the educational content of electronic media, the importance of patient authentication in electronic informed consent, the need for highly secure IT infrastructure and management of communications and the importance of flexible recruitment modalities and processes dependent on the clinical setting for recruitment.
Achieving Tier 2 Bin 5 Emission Levels with a Medium Duty Diesel Pick-Up and a NOX Adsorber, Diesel Particulate Filter Emissions System - NOX Adsorber Management

Increasing fuel costs and the desire for reduced dependence on foreign oil has brought the diesel engine to the forefront of future medium-duty vehicle applications in the United States due to its higher thermal efficiency and superior durability. The main obstacle to the increased use of diesel engines in this platform is the upcoming extremely stringent, Tier 2 emission standard. In order to succeed, diesel vehicles must comply with emissions standards while maintaining their excellent fuel economy. The availability of technologies such as common rail fuel injection systems, low sulfur diesel fuel, NO x adsorber catalysts (NAC), and diesel particle filters (DPFs) allow the development of powertrain systems that have the potential to comply with these future requirements. In meeting the Tier 2 emissions standards, the heavy light-duty trucks (HLDTs) and medium-duty passenger vehicles (MDPVs) will face the greatest technological challenges. In support of this, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has engaged in several test projects under the Advanced Petroleum Based Fuels-Diesel Emission Control (APBF-DEC) activity. The primary technology being addressed by these projects is the sulfur tolerance of the NAC/DPF system and the durability implications of varying fuel sulfur levels. The test bed for one project in this activity is a 2500 series Chevrolet Silverado equipped with a 6.6L Duramax diesel engine certified to 2002 model year (MY) Federal heavy-duty and 2002 MY California medium-duty emission standards. While NAC systems have demonstrated extremely high levels of NO x reduction in steady-state laboratory evaluations, the application of a NAC system to an actual transient engine application requires the development of an integrated engine/emissions management system [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. This paper discusses the integrated engine/emissions system management and regeneration control strategies that were developed. The final control strategies achieved over 98% reductions in tailpipe NO x mass emissions over the hot-start portion of the light-duty Federal Test Procedure (FTP-75). The discussion will cover NO x mass storage modeling and NAC regeneration management strategies for transient operation over the FTP-75, Highway Fuel Economy Test (HFET), and US06 test (an aggressive driving procedure from the supplemental FTP test) cycles.
Profile control in surface amine gradients prepared by controlled-rate infusion.

Surface amine gradients that exhibit a wide variety of profiles, including those that incorporate spatially distinct regions having steep and gradual variations in chemical functionality, have been prepared by the sol−gel process using a controlled-rate infusion method. In this work, a substrate that incorporates dimethyl and Si−OH groups is temporally modified with an aminoalkoxysilane (NH2(CH2)3Si(OC2H5)3) to build a gradient film for which the amine content changes over a 10−20 mm distance. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements confirm the presence of a chemical gradient across the surface of the film. As expected, a greater density of amine functionalities and lower contact angle were found at the bottom of the gradient relative to the top. The local steepness of the gradient was systematically controlled by changing the rate of infusion. Fast rates of infusion created gradient surfaces where the amine content changed slowly along the surface and never reached satu...
Experimental investigation and development of a method for computing the thermophysical properties of hydrocarbons and petroleum products

The results of comprehensive experimental investigations of the thermophysical properties of n-hexane and cyclohexane and the thermoconductivity of liquid petroleum products are presented.
Characterization of the alpha-galactosidase of Paenibacillus sp. K1

A novel alpha-galactosidase encoded by aga P1 gene was amplilfied in the genome of Paenibacillus sp. K1 by CODEHOP PCR and Anchor-ligated PCR techniques. It was 2 190 bp in size and composed of 729 amino acid residues with 82. 7 ku of predicted molecular weight,and pI 5. 16. The AgaP 1 was expressed in E. coli Origami B( DE3) and purified with His-tag chromatography column. The enzymic properties of alpha-galactosidase AgaP 1 was analysized and showed optimum temperature of 40 ℃,optimal pH of 6. 5-10,Km0. 75 mmol / L and Vmax1. 96 μmol·min- 1·mg- 1.The AgaP 1 activity could be improved one to three folds by Fe2 +,Mg2 +,Ca2 +,K+and glycerol,whereas Cu2 +,Zn2 +,Fe3 +and glutathione could completely inhibit the AgaP 1 activity. SDS-PAGE revealed a single band of 80 ku,consistant with the predicted size,while two bands of 150 ku and 440 ku was observed on the native-PAGE gel,corresponding to two and six oligomers of AgaP 1. All of these results suggested that the AgaP 1 produced by Paenibacillus sp. K1 was a novel alpha-galactosidase with the highest enzymic activity at lowtemperature.
Finite element analysis on structural damage of multi-walled foil surface covered with medium thick skin of compound materials

The covering in the structure of compound material medium thick skinned multi-wall foil surface bears all bending moments,as a result the damage mechanism of covering and destructive loading possess jolly important significance and value for the structural design.By means of the self compiled UMAT subroutine to let the 3D gradual damage technique be embedded into the program of ABAQUS finite element software,and whereafter based on the static bending test of the compound material medium thick skinned multi-wall foil surface,the partial 3D finite element model of structure was established.The damage evolvement process of compound material has been simulated by the use of the subroutine and the initial damaging strength was predicted.The position and length of skin damage produced through simulative prediction were totally coincides with those observed from the experiment.The error between the predicted initial damage strength and the test was 4.48%;thereout the accuracy of this finite element model was testified.Thus a kind of more effective and reliable researching method was put forward for the practical engineering application of this complicated structure of medium thick skinned multi-wall foil surface.
Properties of DNA polymerases delta and epsilon, and their roles in eukaryotic DNA replication.

Revue generale traitant de la structure, des proprietes fonctionnelles et du role des differentes polymerases encaryotiques (cellules de mammiferes, levures) dans les phenomenes de replication de l'ADN ou dans ses reparations. Presentation des differents modeles d'etude (virus SV4O, DNA polymerase de saccharomyces cerevisiae)
Unlocking Energy Efficiency in Small Commercial Buildings through Mechanical Contractors

AbstractAlthough buildings smaller than 4,645 m2 account for nearly half of the energy used in U.S. commercial buildings, energy-efficiency programs to date have primarily focused on larger buildings. Stakeholder interviews conducted during a scoping study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) indicated interest in energy efficiency from the small commercial building sector, provided solutions are simple and of low cost. To address this need, an energy management package (EMP) was developed to deliver energy management to small commercial buildings via HVAC contractors, because they already serve these clients and the transaction cost to market would be reduced. This energy-management approach is unique from, but often complementary to, conventional quality maintenance or retrofit-focused programs targeting the small commercial segment. This paper presents an overview of the EMP, the business model to deliver it, and preliminary demonstration findings from a pilot use of the EMP. Results from th...
Overview of General Advantages, Limitations, and Strategies

From mechanical advantages such as enhanced 3D stereoscopic vision, enhanced articulating wrists, white and fluorescent lighting, and telesurgery and simulation systems to clinical advantages such as smaller incisions, less blood loss, reduction in pain, and decreased morbidity and mortality outcomes leading to reduced hospital stay, robotics has transformed general surgery and created surgical challenges to upgrade technical skills beyond laparoscopy. If the major cost limitation can be hurdled, minor limitations such as reduced haptic feedback can be overcome with a faux tactile sensation with time spent on the robotic console. This overview spans advantages, limitations, strategies, and the future of robotics. The digital platform provides infinite opportunities for learning, a higher quality surgeon, and may make surgery safer, better, faster, and ultimately cheaper.
The Pangeran and the saints

ABSTRACTThis article charts the history of a mid 19th-century Ḥaḍramī mausoleum in Surabaya, East Java. Officially known as the mausoleum of the Ḥaḍramī saints Muḥammad b. ʿAydarūs al-Ḥabashī (d.1919) and Muḥammad b. Aḥmad al-Miḥḍār (d.1926), the site has been a popular destination of Indonesian Muslim pilgrims. A close inspection of the inscriptions on the other tombstones in the mausoleum, however, reveals that the edifice was actually built in honour of Pangeran Ḥasan b. ʿUmar al-Ḥabashī (d.1854), a wealthy Ḥaḍramī entrepreneur and diplomat who served the Dutch colonial authorities. This article observes the processes through which the family mausoleum of the Pangeran became known as the mausoleum of two saintly figures. It argues that the interment of the saints in the mausoleum initiated discursive and liturgical developments that resulted in its transfiguration into a devotional site with new histories that gradually eclipsed its earlier identity. Such developments included the production of hagiogr...
P035 A method for large-scale analysis of HLA genetic variation

Aim Less than 7% of HLA genes in IMGT/HLA are reported with full-length sequences. Recent high-throughput advances with NGS offers efficient full-length HLA typing. ∼160,000 HLA loci were reported by HML. A fully automatic annotation pipeline is needed to predict HLA exon–intron architecture and characterize genetic variation within exons and introns. Methods A program hml2fa was created to parse consensus sequences from HML to fasta format, then Clustal-Omega was applied for multiple sequence alignment with references. ExonFinder was created to predict exon–intron structures. UniqueSeq was used to remove sequence duplications for uniqueness analysis. Meanwhile, alignment sequence weights were calculated then bar plotted for validation. Results Sequence weight distribution indicated good alignment coverage especially in exon regions. Uniqueness analysis revealed thousands of full-length HLA variants that are potential novel alleles. In consideration of unique CDS and protein products, ∼50% of the variation was found in exons, resulting in 20–25% non-synonymous changes in class I HLA genes. Further analyses showed that exons 2 and 3 have significant high variability (p Conclusions This annotation pipeline can be used to predict HLA exon–intron structure and explore genetic variation on a large-scale. Surprisingly large numbers of intronic variants may affect HLA function and impact selection of matches for best transplant outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (307KB) Download : Download full-size image
Alcohol drives S-nitrosylation and redox activation of protein phosphatase 1, causing bovine airway cilia dysfunction.

Individuals with alcohol (ethanol)-use disorders are at increased risk for lung infections, in part, due to defective mucociliary clearance driven by motile cilia in the airways. We recently report...
Full Development of Consequences of Congenital Pulmonic Stenosis in Eighty-Four Years.

Described herein is an 84-year-old woman, the oldest reported, with severe pulmonic stenosis who underwent a highly successful pulmonic valvotomy at age 77 and highly unsuccessfully attempted percutaneous pulmonic valve implantation at age 84. During the 84 years she developed nearly all clinical and morphologic consequences of pulmonic stenosis, including heavy calcification of the pulmonic valve, heavy calcification of the tricuspid valve annulus, severe right ventricular wall thickening without ventricular cavity dilation, aneurysm of the pulmonary truck, multiple focal ventricular wall scars without narrowing of the epicardial coronary arteries, wall thickening and luminal narrowing of the intramural coronary arteries, and extremely low 12-lead QRS electrocardiographic voltage.
Complement inhibition with eculizumab for thrombotic microangiopathy rescues a living-donor kidney transplant in a patient with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an enigmatic heterogeneous disorder despite several revelations in its pathobiology. Renal transplantation in patients with APS has been notoriously difficult due to the high risk of development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), which is often refractory to conventional treatment modalities such as aggressive anticoagulation and plasmapheresis. We describe a case of a 58-year-old male with secondary APS undergoing living unrelated renal transplantation for end-stage renal disease from lupus nephritis. Shortly after transplantation, he developed graft dysfunction from APS related TMA that was refractory to systemic anticoagulation and plasmapheresis. After becoming hemodialysis dependent, the patient was started on eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against complement factor 5, as salvage therapy. We show that this intervention successfully rescued his renal allograft and that the patient has remained dialysis free for over 20 months. Our experience adds to the limited body of literature suggesting the role of complement inhibition in facilitating renal transplantation in patients with APS spectrum of disorders, thus adding a new tool to the therapeutic armamentarium for this difficult disease. The optimal treatment schedule and long term safety data for eculizumab in complement mediated TMA is still unclear. The search for an optimal biomarker to help guide treatment duration is an area of active research.
Highly Active and Stable Fe–N–C Catalyst for Oxygen Depolarized Cathode Applications

Anion immunity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has tremendous implications in electrocatalysis with applications for fuel cells, metal–air batteries, and oxygen depolarized cathodes (ODCs) in the anodic evolution of chlorine. The necessity of exploring ORR catalysts with immunity to anion adsorption is particularly significant considering that platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts are costly and highly vulnerable to impurities such as halides. Herein, we report a metal organic framework (MOF)-derived Fe–N–C catalyst that exhibits a dramatically improved half-wave potential of 240 mV compared to the state-of-the-art RhxSy/C catalyst in a rotating disk electrode in the presence of Cl–. The Fe–N4 active sites in Fe–N–C are intrinsically immune to Cl– poisoning, in contrast to Pt/C, which is severely susceptible to Cl– poisoning. As a result, the activity of Fe–N–C decreases only marginally in the presence of Cl–, far exceeding that of Pt/C. The viability of this catalyst as ODCs is further demonstr...