cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor Necrosis Factor α Contributes to Protection Against Giardia lamblia Infection in Mice

Giardia lamblia is a ubiquitous parasite that causes diarrhoea. Effective control of Giardia infections in mice has been shown to involve IgA, T cells, mast cells and IL-6. We now show that Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) also plays an important role in the early control of giardiasis. Mice treated with neutralizing anti-TNFalpha antibodies or genetically deficient in TNFalpha were infected with the G. lamblia clone GS/(M)-H7. In both cases, mice lacking TNFalpha had much higher parasite numbers than controls during the first 2 weeks of infections. However, anti-parasite IgA levels, mast cell responses, and IL-4 and IL-6 mRNA levels do not appear significantly altered in the absence of TNFalpha. In addition, we show that mice infected with G. lamblia exhibit increased intestinal permeability, similar to human Giardia infection, and that this increase occurs in both wild-type and TNFalpha deficient mice. We conclude that TNFalpha is essential for host resistance to G. lamblia infection, and that it does not exert its effects through mechanisms previously implicated in control of this parasite.
Knockdown of fucosyltransferase III disrupts the adhesion of circulating cancer cells to E-selectin without affecting hematopoietic cell adhesion

Adhesive interactions between selectins and their ligands play an essential role during cancer extravasation. Fucosylation of these proteins by fucosyltransferases, or FUTs, is critical for their functions. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we demonstrated that FUT4 and FUT7 are the predominant FUTs expressed in hematopoietic cell line, while FUT3 is heavily expressed by multiple cancer cell lines including the prostate cancer cell line MDA PCa2b. Knockdown of FUT3 expression in MDA PCa2b cells by small interference RNA (siRNA) significantly reduced FUT3 expression. Cell-surface sialyl Lewis antigens were largely abolished. Cell adhesion and cell rolling on the blood vessel wall were simulated by perfusing cancer cells through microtubes coated with recombinant human E-selectin. At physiological levels of wall shear stress, the number of flowing cancer cells recruited to the microtube surface was dramatically reduced by FUT3 knockdown. Higher rolling velocity was also observed, which is consistent with reduced E-selectin binding activity. Interestingly, FUT3 siRNA treatment also significantly reduced the cell growth rate. Combined with the novel siRNA delivery platform recently developed in our laboratory, FUT3 siRNA could be a promising conjunctive therapy aiming at reducing the metastatic virulence of circulating epithelial cancer cells.
The nuclear genome of Brachypodium distachyon: analysis of BAC end sequences

Due in part to its small genome (~350 Mb), Brachypodium distachyon is emerging as a model system for temperate grasses, including important crops like wheat and barley. We present the analysis of 10.9% of the Brachypodium genome based on 64,696 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) end sequences (BES). Analysis of repeat DNA content in BES revealed that approximately 11.0% of the genome consists of known repetitive DNA. The vast majority of the Brachypodium repetitive elements are LTR retrotransposons. While Bare-1 retrotransposons are common to wheat and barley, Brachypodium repetitive element sequence-1 (BRES-1), closely related to Bare-1, is also abundant in Brachypodium. Moreover, unique Brachypodium repetitive element sequences identified constitute approximately 7.4% of its genome. Simple sequence repeats from BES were analyzed, and flanking primer sequences for SSR detection potentially useful for genetic mapping are available at http://brachypodium.pw.usda.gov. Sequence analyses of BES indicated that approximately 21.2% of the Brachypodium genome represents coding sequence. Furthermore, Brachypodium BES have more significant matches to ESTs from wheat than rice or maize, although these species have similar sizes of EST collections. A phylogenetic analysis based on 335 sequences shared among seven grass species further revealed a closer relationship between Brachypodium and Triticeae than Brachypodium and rice or maize.
Remarks on Caristi’s fixed point theorem

Abstract In this work, we give a characterization of the existence of minimal elements in partially ordered sets in terms of fixed points of multivalued maps. This characterization shows that the assumptions in Caristi’s fixed point theorem can, a priori, be weakened. Finally, we discuss Kirk’s problem on an extension of Caristi’s theorem and prove a new positive result which illustrates the weakening mentioned before.
Tetra-μ-6-methyl­pyridin-2-olato-ditungsten toluene sesquisolvate

The red title compound, [W2(C6H6NO)4]·1.5C7H8, contains isolated W2(hmp)4 molecules (hmp is 6-methyl­pyridin-2-olate) in which the W—W separation of 2.1617 (5) A is consistent with the expected tungsten–tungsten quadruple bond. The complex molecule cocrystallizes with 1.5 mol­ecules of toluene. One toluene mol­ecule is disordered about a crystallographic inversion center, and the other, in a general position, is also disordered.
Coral Bioerosion at Enewetak: Agents and Dynamics

Significant differences were found in the extent to which massive coral species at Enewetak are excavated by boring organisms: Goniastrea retiformis, 7.9%; Porites lutea, 2.5%; and Favia pallida, 1.2%. While polychaetes constituted the most abundant and diverse group of coral associates, clionid sponges accounted for approximately 70–80% of skeletal damage. Clionid boring rates are initially very high but burrowing ceases when a particular burrow size (˜0.6 cm) or distance from the surface (≦2 cm) is reached. Most coral skeletal excavation occurs within 2 cm of a dead surface. Therefore, bioerosional damage to corals depends primarily on the amount of skeletal surface not covered by live coral tissue. Damage to skeletons is inversely correlated with colony size but is not correlated with coral growth rates or water depth. Massive corals have a potential escape in size from catastrophic bioerosion. Models relating 1) coral growth forms to skeletal density and stability in currents, 2) resistance of coral skeletons to breakage by water movement and suspended rubble, and 3) dead surface area on coral heads to bioerosional damage and consequent probability of detachment from the substrate, are proposed.
Wear Measurement of a Large Hydraulic Fluid Power Pump Using Radioactive Tracer Wear Technology

Real-time wear measurement is possible in fluid lubricated components utilizing radioactive tracer technology (RATT). This technology has been applied to internal combustion engines since the 1950’s, but has only recently been applied to hydraulic components. This paper presents the application of radioactive tracer technology to measure wear rate of pistons and slippers in a large variable displacement, high pressure, axial piston pump under various operating conditions. To apply this technology, new piston and slipper assemblies were exposed to thermal neutrons in a nuclear reactor to produce characteristic radionuclides (isotopes) in the slippers and pistons. These isotopes act as tracers, which when worn off in an operating pump can be measured by monitoring the gamma-ray activity in the circulating fluid. The accumlation of wear particles in the unfiltered circulation loop is monitored continuously as the pump is operated under various transient and steady state conditions. The steady state wear rate is determined by the rate of accumulation of radioactive wear particles in the loop over a period of time, usually less than a few hours. This first time application of RATT for wear analysis in a large hydraulic pump has shown positive results. This technology can be applied to determine wear sensitivity of hydraulic pump parts for an endless array of factors, such as speed, pressure, displacement, temperature, contamination level and composition, and duty cycle. Break-in, start-up, and transient wear affects can also be observed. Comparisons can also be made between the wear of different design features and materials.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Small-signal stability enhancement of power systems with renewable distributed energy resources

Abstract This paper examines the application of energy storage to enhance the small-signal stability of an electrical power system with renewable power generation. In particular, a linearized model of the system and an LMI-based control design method are used to achieve frequency and voltage regulation subject to small perturbations to mechanical power inputs to synchronous generators in the system. The controller design is validated using the following simulation studies: (1) a single machine connected to an infinite bus (SMIB) (2) a two-machine (synchronous generator and doubly-fed induction generator) connected to an infinite bus. Simulation results show that the proposed controller can simultaneously achieve frequency and voltage regulation.
Magnetism, specific heat, and pressure-dependent resistivity of the electron-doped compounds Ln2−xMxCuO4−y (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd; M = Ce, Th)

Abstract Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility z the specific heat C, and the electrical resistivity ρ are presented for the Nd 2 CuO 4 -type structure insulating parent compounds Ln 2 CuO 4 (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd), the doped superconducting compounds Ln 2−x M x CuO 4−y (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, M = Ce; Ln = Pr and Nd, M = Th), and the doped, semiconducting compound Gd 2−x Ce x CuO 4−y . The z and C data indicate that antiferromagnetic (AFM) order occurs in the undop compounds for Ln = Nd, Sm, and Gd at temperatures below 1.7 K, 5.95 K, and 6.6 K, respectively. The coexistence of superconductivity and AFM order is observed in Ln 1.85 M 0.15 CuO 4−y , with reduced Neel temperatures T N = 1.2 K for Ln = Nd, M = Ce, Th and T N = 4.6 K for Ln = Sm, M = Ce. Magnetic susceptibility data for Gd 2−x Ce x CuO 4−y display evidence for AFM ordering of Cu 2+ spins at ≈ 280 K for x = 0 and at ≈ 150 K for x = 0.15. For Nd 1.85 M 0.15 CuO 4−y , a very slight increase (decrease) in T c with applied pressure is observed for M = Ce (Th); this relative insensitivity and the depression of T c for M = Th is in contrast to the behavior observed for other high T c compounds.
Structure and enzymatic properties of a chimeric bacteriophage RB69 DNA polymerase and single-stranded DNA binding protein with increased processivity

In vivo, replicative DNA polymerases are made more processive by their interactions with accessory proteins at the replication fork. Single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) is an essential protein that binds tightly and cooperatively to single-stranded DNA during replication to remove adventitious secondary structures and protect the exposed DNA from endogenous nucleases. Using information from high resolution structures and biochemical data, we have engineered a functional chimeric enzyme of the bacteriophage RB69 DNA polymerase and SSB with substantially increased processivity. Fusion of RB69 DNA polymerase with its cognate SSB via a short six amino acid linker increases affinity for primer-template DNA by sixfold and subsequently increases processivity by sevenfold while maintaining fidelity. The crystal structure of this fusion protein was solved by a combination of multiwavelength anomalous diffraction and molecular replacement to 3.2 A resolution and shows that RB69 SSB is positioned proximal to the N-terminal domain of RB69 DNA polymerase near the template strand channel. The structural and biochemical data suggest that SSB interactions with DNA polymerase are transient and flexible, consistent with models of a dynamic replisome during elongation.
Barriers to investment in third world mineral industries

Abstract This article looks at some of the barriers that have distorted the global flow of capital in the mining industry. The perceived threat of nationalization is discussed and Chile's expropriation of US copper mining companies in 1971 is examined. Political instability, leading not only expropriation but to loss of title, altered tax laws, and voided contracts, is also cited as a factor affecting investor confidence. Finally, inadequate infrastructure is regarded as a further barrier to development of Third World mineral industries.
New method for the visualization of the LV in gated-blood-pool SPECT images

A new approach is presented for determining left ventricular (LV) shape in a sequence of gated blood pool single photon emission computed tomography data. The approach consists of the automatic extraction and fitting of an analytical ellipsoidal surface that well-approximates the shape of the LV. Data from all slices and geometric characteristics of the analytical surface are exploited to enable robust and (over- constrained) recovery of the LV shape parameters. Examination of 3D renderings of the surface coupled with computation of LV volume and motion parameters over the systolic cycle can allow qualitative and quantitative determination of LV function.
Preventing Internalizing Symptoms Among Hispanic Adolescents: A Synthesis Across Familias Unidas Trials

Studies document that there are efficacious interventions to prevent adolescent depression and internalizing symptoms, including several family-focused interventions. Questions remain about for whom interventions work (moderation) and by what mechanisms they work (mediation) to prevent internalizing symptoms. Unfortunately, single trials are often underpowered to address moderation and mediation, an issue addressed in this paper. This synthesis study combined individual-level, longitudinal data from 721 adolescents across 3 randomized clinical trials of Familias Unidas, a family-focused prevention intervention for Hispanic youth. Using integrative data analysis (IDA) methods applied to trials, the study examined intervention moderation and mediation effects on internalizing symptoms. Baseline internalizing symptoms were a significant moderator of the intervention’s effects on internalizing symptoms, while baseline externalizing symptoms did not moderate intervention effects. Baseline parent–adolescent communication, a modifiable risk factor and hypothesized mechanism by which the intervention works, significantly moderated the intervention’s effects. Specifically, the intervention was more efficacious in its impact on internalizing symptoms for youth with lower initial levels of parent–adolescent communication compared to those with higher communication levels. Moderated mediation analyses showed that parent–adolescent communication changes mediated the intervention’s effects on internalizing symptoms, with stronger effects for those with poorer baseline communication. Results suggest a potential benefit of identifying youth risks prior to interventions, and targeting specific modifiable mediators that lead to reductions of internalizing problems of adolescents. Findings also highlight advantages of utilizing data from combined trials and IDA for examining intervention moderators and mediators.
Kinetics of the Removal of OH(v = 1) and OD(v = 1) by HNO3 and DNO3 from 253 to 383 K

We have measured the rate coefficients for the removal of OH(v = 1) and OD(v = 1) by HNO3 and DNO3 as a function of temperature from 253 to 383 K. OH(v = 1) and OD(v = 1) were produced by photolysis of HNO3/DNO3 at 248 nm; laser-induced fluorescence was used to monitor the kinetics of the vibrationally excited radicals. The measured rate coefficients at 295 K range from 2.5 × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for the removal of OH(v = 1) by HNO3 to 6 × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for the removal of OH(v = 1) by DNO3; the rate coefficients for the like-isotope processes [removal of OH(v = 1) by HNO3 and removal of OD(v = 1) by DNO3] are 2−4 times higher than the rate coefficients for the unlike-isotope processes. All four rate coefficients show negative temperature dependences that are too strong to be attributable only to long-range interactions between the reactants. Expressed as negative activation energies, the temperature dependences yield values of Ea/R from −520 to −750 K. We suggest that the removal of the vib...
High temperature absorption of the 3.39 µm He-Ne laser line by small hydrocarbons

Absorptivity measurements for the 3.39 μm He-Ne laser line are reported for methane, acetylene, ethylene, ethane, propane, n-butane, and n-pentane over the temperature range 300 < T < 2000°K. Shock-heated mixtures containing formaldehyde and methyl iodide showed no absorption or transient absorption at any temperature that could be attributed to formaldehyde or methyl radicals. The temperature dependence of the absorptivities of the C2 and higher hydrocarbons was much weaker than for methane. Comparison with simple theoretical expectations and broad-band absorptivities showed that the higher hydrocarbon absorptions include quite large numbers of absorbing states.
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF DEVIANT BLIND CHILDREN

Intensive long-term evaluation and individualized treatment of deviant blind children was introduced at an outpatient psychiatric clinic. The approach included child therapy, environmental manipulation, parent treatment and eventual placement in special classes. Results regarding the therapeutic relationship, impact upon the family and the ego growth observed in these children are discussed.
Excitability changes along pyramidal tract axons after sensory stimulation

Abstract Recordings were made extracellularly of the activity of single pyramidal tract (PT) neurons in the forepaw focus of the cat's postcruciate cerebral cortex. Activity was evoked antidromically by near-threshold stimulation of the contralateral dorsolateral funiculus of the C6 spinal cord (corticospinal tract), the ipsilateral medullary pyramid, the ipsilateral cerebral peduncle, and the ipsilateral internal capsule. Orthodromic activity was initiated by shocks to each of the four paws. The excitability of PT axons at the spinal cord, medullary pyramid, cerebral peduncle, and internal capsule was tested by measuring the threshold to antidromic activation in conditioning-testing interaction. The PT axons with small contralateral receptive fields (small-field cells) showed no change in excitability at any of the four test sites after stimulation of any of the four paws. In contrast, most PT axons with large bilateral receptive fields (wide-field cells) showed increases in excitability after stimulation of the contralateral forepaw at one or more of the test sites, in many cases, at all four sites. Although not tested in all neurons, increases in excitability of wide-field axons were also seen after stimulation of the ipsilateral forepaw and the contralateral and ipsilateral hind paws. The increased excitability was detectable 20 to 25 ms after the contralateral forepaw stimulus, was maximum at 25 to 30 ms, and then returned to baseline by 75 to 100 ms. Maximum changes in excitability varied from 5% to more than 60% in different axons. The time course of the change in excitability was nearly the same at each site, but the magnitude of the change was most often greater at the pyramid and cerebral peduncle than at the internal capsule. In some cells, a period of decreased excitability, in most cases apparent inexcitability, followed the period of increased excitability. This could also be observed at all four test sites. The period of increased excitability most likely resulted from depolarization of terminals of branches of the PT axon near the testing site, whereas the period of decreased excitability may have resulted from strong depolarization or hyperpolarization of such terminals or from hyperpolarization of one or more nodes of Ranvier, the site situated nearer to the soma than the test site.
CD4+ T cells derived from B cell-deficient mice inhibit the establishment of peripheral B cell pools

We demonstrate that adoptive transfer of peritoneal cavity B cells fails to replenish the peripheral B-1 cells in adult B cell-deficient (μ−/−) mice but does replenish adult RAG-1−/− mice. We show that this lack of self-replenishment in μ−/− mice is mediated by strongly inhibitory, radiation-sensitive CD4+ T cells that also function in cotransfer studies to block the reconstitution of B-1 cells and inhibit accumulation of bone marrow-derived B-2 cells in the periphery in irradiated recipients. CD8+ T cells from μ−/− do not mediate this inhibition. The inhibitory CD4+ T cells develop early in life, because B-1 cell replenishment occurs normally when B-1 cells are transferred into μ−/− neonates. Thus, we conclude that the presence of B cells in the neonate conditions the CD4+ T-cell population to permit the establishment and maintenance of normal B cell pools throughout life.
Public justification and democratic adjudication

Contractualists seek to publicly justify moral principles, but it seems doubtful that a set of specific principles or policies can be definitively justified. In this sense, the contractualist project has an indeterminate result: the precise content of liberal morality is open to reasonable dispute. Liberal citizens thus find themselves disagreeing about the demands of liberal morality. They require, as Locke argued, an umpire to resolve their disputes. This paper analyzes what is required of such an umpire, and then employs a four-stage argument to show that constitutional representative democracy is the uniquely justified umpiring procedure for resolving these disputes. Democratic politics, on this view, is the continuation of ethical dispute by other means.
Design of a Multimodal Climbing and Gliding Robotic Platform

Animals often exhibit the ability to operate in and transition between multiple modes of locomotion efficiently and elegantly. On the other hand, bioinspired robotic platforms have typically focused on emulating animal-like behavior in a single mode of locomotion. This paper presents the conceptual development, design, and verification of a robotic platform capable of locomotion in scansorial and aerial regimes. The resulting ICAROS platform demonstrates climbing prepared vertical surfaces and transitioning to a glide path with performance characteristics comparable to its biological counterparts.
Amine catalysis in phosphoryl transfer from 2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate in aprotic and protic solvents

Abstract Reactions of tetra-n-butylammonium 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrogen phosphate, (ArPH) − (R 4 N) + , in aprotic and protic solvents, in the absence and in the presence of alcohols or water, ROH, are compared with analogous reactions of the salt in the presence of hindered and unhindered amines, e.g. diisopropylethyl amine and quinuclidine. Similar studies are performed with the acid, ArPH 2 , in the presence of variable amounts of amines. The release of phenol and the fate of the phosphorus compounds are followed by 1 H and 31 P NMR spectrometry. In the absence of free unhindered amine, reactions of the monoanion are relatively slow, sensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and incapable of producing t-butyl phosphate from t-butanol; reactions of the dianion are relatively fast, insensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and produce t-butyl phosphate. In the presence of free unhindered amine, reactions of the monoanion are relatively fast but still sensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and hence do not produce t-butyl phosphate. The intermediate CH(CH 2 CH 2 ) 3 + NP(O)(OH)O − is detected in the presence of quinuclidine. Reactions of the dianion in the presence of unhindered amines are analogous to those observed in the presence of hindered amines. The uncatalyzed and the nucleophilic amine-catalyzed reactions of the monoanion are assumed to proceed via oxyphosphorane, P(5), intermediates. The dianion reactions, which are not susceptible to nucleophilic catalysis, are assumed to proceed via the monomeric metaphosphate ion intermediate, PO 3 − . Significant effects related to solvent properties are observed in these reactions.
Fabrication of tissue-engineered vascular grafts with stem cells and stem cell-derived vascular cells

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Current surgical treatments for cardiovascular disease include vascular bypass grafting and replacement with autologous blood vessels or synthetic vascular grafts. However, there is a call for better alternative biological grafts.Areas covered: Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are promising novel alternatives to replace diseased vessels. However, obtaining enough functional and clinically usable vascular cells for fabrication of TEVGs remains a major challenge. New findings in adult stem cells and recent advances in pluripotent stem cells have opened a new avenue for stem cell-based vascular engineering. In this review, recent advances on stem cell sourcing for TEVGs including the use of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells and advantages, disadvantages, and possible future implementations of different types of stem cells will be discussed. In addition, current strategies used during the fabrication o...
Collaborative Measurements of Upload Speeds in P2P Systems

In this paper, we study the theory of collaborative upload bandwidth measurement in peer-to-peer environments. A host can use a bandwidth estimation probe to determine the bandwidth between itself and any other host in the system. The problem is that the result of such a measurement may not necessarily be the sender's upload bandwidth, since the most bandwidth restricted link on the path could also be the receiver's download bandwidth. In this paper, we formally define the bandwidth determination problem and devise efficient distributed algorithms. We consider two models, the free-departure and no-departure model, depending on whether hosts keep participating in the algorithm even after their bandwidth has been determined. We present lower bounds on the time-complexity of any collaborative bandwidth measurement algorithm in both models. We then show how, for realistic bandwidth distributions, the lower bounds can be overcome. Specifically, we present $O(1)$ and $O(\log\log n)$-time algorithms for the two models. We corroborate these theoretical findings with practical measurements on a implementation on PlanetLab.
JumpStart: a just-in-time signaling architecture for WDM burst-switched networks

We present an overview of an architecture and a signaling protocol for a cored WDM network. The architecture is based on wavelength routing and burst switching. Burst switching, as opposed to circuit or packet switching, implies that the network is capable of switching data in variable-sized parcels. Signaling is "just-in-time" indicating that signaling messages travel slightly ahead of the data they are describing. Signaling is out of band, with signaling packets undergoing electro-optical conversion at every hop. Data, on the other hand, travels transparently.
Mean estimation bias in least squares estimation of autoregressive processes

Abstract Estimation of the parameters of an autoregressive process with a mean that is a function of time is considered. Approximate expressions for the bias of the least squares estimator of the autoregressive parameters that is due to estimating the unknown mean function are derived. For the case of a mean function that is a polynomial in time, a reparameterization that isolates the bias is given. Using the approximate expressions, a method of modifying the least squares estimator is proposed. A Monte Carlo study of the second-order autoregressive process is presented. The Monte Carlo results agree well with the approximate theory and, generally speaking, the modified least squares estimators performed better than the least squares estimator. For the second-order process we also considered the empirical properties of the estimated generalized least squares estimator of the mean function and the error made in predicting the process one, two and three periods in the future.
The Study on Fractals of Internet Router-level Topology

The analysis on the degree distribution and spectral density of graph spectrum of Internet topology structure is the principle content of modeling on Internet router-level topology. In this paper, we studied the fractal features of Internet topology structure. According to the sample algorithm, we got two different groups of sample topologies from Internet topology measuring data of CAIDA. We analyzed the degree distribution in each sample topology and found that they satisfied power law. This is coincident with the degree distribution of the whole Internet topology. Then, we analyzed the distribution of the spectral density of the Internet sample topologies. By analyzing the distribution of spectral density with eigenvalues of each sample topology, we found that the results of them showed highly coherence. At last, we analyzed signless Laplacian spectra(SLS) on three sample topologies with 3000 nodes showed that SLS distribution results were very much similar with each other though the sample topologies were quite different. All of these prove that there exist self-similarity among the parts of Internet topology structure and between the part and the whole of Internet topology. So we can conclude that Internet topology structure has got fractals.
Instrument evaluation of Borg's perceived exertion scale in cardiac rehabilitation

Borg's perceived exertion scale measures the extent of perceived exertion which a person experiences during exercise. The perceived exertion scale is used to adjust exercise intensity (workload) for predictions and prescriptions of exercise intensities in sports and medical rehabilitation (BORG, 1982). In addition, Borg's scale can be used in the athletic arena, space, industry, military settings, or under everyday circumstances. The concept of perceived exertion is a subjective rating, indicating the subject's opinion about the intensity of the work being performed (MORGAN, 1973). The task of exercising subjects is to assign a number (from 1-20) to represent the subjective sensation of the amount of work being performed. This is a valuable tool in human performance setting, where an important consideration is not "what the individual is doing, but what he thinks and is doing" (MORGAN, 1973).
State versus Merchant: Commerce in the Countryside in the Early People's Republic of China

There is an uncanny similarity between regulations on merchant activity in various medieval Western European countries, on the one hand, and, on the other, those in the People's Republic of China (PRC) just after its institution (see Appendix). My discovery of this resemblance informed the research on which this paper is based and directed my attention to some crucial relationships in the interaction between commerce and state at a certain level of economic development. The presence of similar regulations in these societies had to point to (1) like activities going on in them all, along with (2) governmental disapproval of these activities. Thus, a preliminary look at materials on Europe led to new insights into the Chinese situation.
Nonsmooth Cone-Constrained Optimization with Applications to Semi-Infinite Programming

This paper is devoted to the study of general nonsmooth problems of cone-constrained optimization (or conic programming) important for various aspects of optimization theory and applications. Based on advanced constructions and techniques of variational analysis and generalized differentiation, we derive new necessary optimality conditions (in both “exact” and “fuzzy” forms) for nonsmooth conic programs, establish characterizations of well-posedness for cone-constrained systems, and develop new applications to semi-infinite programming.
A Compendium of Urinary Biomarkers Indicative of Glomerular Podocytopathy

It is well known that glomerular podocyte injury and loss are present in numerous nephropathies and that the pathophysiologic consecution of disease hinges upon the fate of the podocyte. While multiple factors play a hand in glomerulopathy progression, basic logic lends that if one monitors the podocyte's status, that may reflect the status of disease. Recent investigations have focused on what one can elucidate from the noninvasive collection of urine, and have proven that certain, specific biomarkers of podocytes can be readily identified via varying techniques. This paper has brought together all described urinary biomarkers of podocyte injury and is made to provide a concise summary of their utility and testing in laboratory and clinical theatres. While promising in the potential that they hold as tools for clinicians and investigators, the described biomarkers require further comprehensive vetting in the form of larger clinical trials and studies that would give their value true weight. These urinary biomarkers are put forth as novel indicators of glomerular disease presence, disease progression, and therapeutic efficacy that in some cases may be more advantageous than the established parameters/measures currently used in practice.
Antitenascin-C monoclonal antibody radioimmunotherapy for malignant glioma patients

Adults with primary malignant glioma have an unacceptably poor outcome. Most of these tumors recur at or adjacent to the site of origin, which indicates that failure to eradicate local tumor growth is a major factor contributing to poor outcome. Therefore, locoregional therapies may improve local control and overall outcome for malignant glioma patients. Malignant gliomas selectively express several factors that are not present on normal CNS tissue. Regional administration of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-specific antigens expressed by malignant gliomas offers an innovative therapeutic strategy that has recently demonstrated encouraging antitumor activity and acceptable toxicity in clinical trials at a number of centers. Most studies have utilized monoclonal antibodies against tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein ubiquitously expressed by malignant gliomas. This review summarizes clinical trials performed using radiolabeled antitenascin-C monoclonal antibodies for malignan...
Peritoneal Membrane Injury and Peritoneal Dialysis

For patients with chronic renal failure, peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a common, life sustaining form of renal replacement therapy that is used worldwide. Exposure to nonbiocompatible dialysate, inflammation, and uremia induces longitudinal changes in the peritoneal membrane. Application of molecular biology techniques has led to advances in our understanding of the mechanism of injury of the peritoneal membrane. This understanding will allow for the development of strategies to preserve the peritoneal membrane structure and function. This may decrease the occurrence of PD technique failure and improve patient outcomes of morbidity and mortality.
Contemporary Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Update on Anticoagulation and Invasive Management Strategies

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Its increasing prevalence, particularly among the elderly, renders it one of the most serious current medical epidemics. Several management questions confront the clinician treating a patient with AF: Should the condition be treated? Is the patient at risk of death or serious morbidity as a result of this diagnosis? If treatment is necessary, is rate control or rhythm control superior? Which patients need anticoagulation therapy, and for how long? This review of articles obtained by a search of the PubMed and MEDLINE databases presents the available evidence that can guide the clinician in answering these questions. After discussing the merits of available therapy, including medications aimed at controlling rate, rhythm, or both, we focus on the present status of ablative therapy for AF. Catheter ablation, particularly targeting the pulmonary veins, is being increasingly performed, although the precise indications for this approach and its effectiveness and safety are being actively investigated. We briefly discuss other invasive options that are less frequently used, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, left atrial appendage closure devices, and the surgical maze procedure.
Rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies and short-term neonatal outcomes.

Objective To estimate the efficacy of a rescue course of antenatal corticosteroids in twin pregnancies. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary-care centre. Population Twins born from 24 to <34 weeks of gestation in a single maternal and fetal medicine practice from 2006 to 2011. Methods We compared neonatal outcomes in 88 twins exposed to a single course of corticosteroids with outcomes in 42 twins exposed to two courses of corticosteroids: the initial course and a single rescue course. Analyses were adjusted to control for correlation between twins born to the same mother. Main outcome measure Short-term neonatal respiratory morbidity. Results Rescue corticosteroids were associated with fewer days of mechanical ventilation (7.3 ± 3.3 versus 33.9 ± 25.3 days, P = 0.003), fewer days with a fraction of inspired oxygen of >21% (6.3 ± 4.3 versus 33.3 ± 25.8 days, P = 0.003), a lower incidence of mechanical ventilation >14 days or death while on mechanical ventilation (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016), and a lower incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (0 versus 12.5%, P = 0.016). The proportion of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome did not differ between the groups (adjusted odds ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 0.50–3.26). There were no differences found for birthweight, head circumference and length. Conclusions In twins born before 34 weeks of gestation, exposure to rescue corticosteroids may be associated with improved neonatal outcomes. Further studies are warranted to assess the effect of rescue corticosteroids in twin pregnancies.
Proton and X-ray Radiation for Head and Neck Paragangliomas

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of proton therapy and x-ray radiation treatments for head and neck paragangliomas. Patients and Methods: Between 2004 and 2014, 13 patients with paragangliomas were treated with radiation using proton therapy (n = 7) or x-ray modalities (n = 6). Paragangliomas were jugular fossa, vagal, tympanic, and carotid body in 5, 4, 2, and 2 patients, respectively. Patients were treated definitively (n = 8), for recurrence or progression after prior surgery (n = 4), or for residual tumor after surgery (n = 1). The median age was 55 years (range, 35 to 77 years). The median dose of proton therapy was 35 Gy (RBE) in 15 fractions, and 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions for those treated with x-rays. Tumor volume was delineated at treatment planning and on follow-up images to assess volumetric changes over time. The median follow-up time after proton therapy was 52 months (range, 6 to 105 months) and 73 months (range, 37 to 91 months) after x-ray therapy. Results: No acute grade 3 or greater ...
Suboptimal symbol-by-symbol demodulation of continuous phase modulated signals using the Laurent decomposition

Symbol-by-symbol detection is often used in systems with interleaved coded modulation in order to provide the needed soft-decision metrics for the decoding of the outer code. The paper develops a suboptimal symbol-by-symbol detection method for the demodulation of continuous phase modulated (CPM) signals. The proposed algorithm offers a reduced-complexity symbol-by-symbol detection in which the numbers of matched filters and trellis states are appreciably reduced. The complexity reduction is achieved by approximating the CPM signal using the Laurent representation. A simulation study shows that the performance degradation relative to the optimal full complexity algorithm is small for a variety of CPM signals.
A maximum common substructure-based algorithm for searching and predicting drug-like compounds

Motivation: The prediction of biologically active compounds is of great importance for high-throughput screening (HTS) approaches in drug discovery and chemical genomics. Many computational methods in this area focus on measuring the structural similarities between chemical structures. However, traditional similarity measures are often too rigid or consider only global similarities between structures. The maximum common substructure (MCS) approach provides a more promising and flexible alternative for predicting bioactive compounds. Results: In this article, a new backtracking algorithm for MCS is proposed and compared to global similarity measurements. Our algorithm provides high flexibility in the matching process, and it is very efficient in identifying local structural similarities. To predict and cluster biologically active compounds more efficiently, the concept of basis compounds is proposed that enables researchers to easily combine the MCS-based and traditional similarity measures with modern machine learning techniques. Support vector machines (SVMs) are used to test how the MCS-based similarity measure and the basis compound vectorization method perform on two empirically tested datasets. The test results show that MCS complements the well-known atom pair descriptor-based similarity measure. By combining these two measures, our SVM-based model predicts the biological activities of chemical compounds with higher specificity and sensitivity. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effect of ambient Mg/Ca ratio on Mg fractionation in calcareous marine invertebrates: A record of the oceanic Mg/Ca ratio over the Phanerozoic

The Mg/Ca ratio of seawater has changed significantly over the Phanerozoic, primarily as a function of the rate of ocean-crust production. Echinoids, crabs, shrimps, and calcareous serpulid worms grown in artificial seawaters encompassing the range of Mg/Ca ratios that existed throughout the Phanerozoic exhibit a direct nonlinear relationship between skeletal and ambient Mg/Ca. Specimens grown in seawater with the lowest Mg/Ca (;1) changed their mineralogy to low-Mg calcite (,4 mol% MgCO3), suggesting that these high-Mg calcareous organisms would have produced low-Mg calcite in the Cretaceous, when oceanic Mg/Ca was lowest (;1). These results support the empirical evidence that the skeletal chemistry of calcareous organisms has varied significantly over the Phanerozoic as a function of the Mg/Ca of seawater, and that the Mg/Ca of unaltered fossils of such organisms may be a record of oceanic Mg/Ca throughout the Phanerozoic. Mg fractionation algorithms, which relate skeletal Mg/Ca, seawater Mg/Ca, and temperature, were derived from these and other experiments. They can be used to estimate paleoceanic Mg/ Ca ratios and temperatures from fossil skeletal Mg/Ca of the organisms evaluated. Paleoceanic Mg/Ca ratios, recalculated by using the echinoderm Mg fractionation algorithm from published fossil echinoid Mg/Ca, crinoid Mg/Ca, and paleotemperature data, are consistent with other estimates and models of oceanic Mg/Ca over the Phanerozoic.
Cutaneous reactions to recombinant cytokine therapy

Cytokines are critical to several fundamental homeostatic mechanisms such as fever, acute phase reactions, wound healing, hematopoiesis, inflammation, cellular and humoral immune responses, and tumor regression. As a result of advances in recombinant DNA technology, recombinant cytokines are available as therapeutic agents. They have been used for metastatic cancers and immunodeficiencies, as a therapy for naturally occurring or drug-induced anemias or leukopenias, and they have also been applied to some cutaneous disorders. Cytokine therapy can result in toxic reactions that affect many organ systems, especially the skin. These reactions are common and diverse, ranging from minor injection site reactions, pruritus, and flushing to life-threatening autoimmune disorders, severe erythroderma, or bullous skin reactions. This review focuses on the major cytokines that are in current clinical use or under investigation and describes the cutaneous complications of these agents.
A micropopulation model adaptation for neural network studies

A discrete-time, micropopulation model called SUMMERS has been adapted to represent one of the neural network models proposed by K. Fukushima (see Biolog. Cybern., vol.50, p.105-13, 1984). Such specializations of SUMMERS allow for ease of model modification and extension, while sharing most of the Fortran coding with a group of micropopulation models used in epidemiological studies of chronic and infectious diseases. The neural network model. COGNET, can duplicate the features of the primarily deterministic Fukushima model and also can incorporate stochastic elements processed using Monte Carlo techniques. It is planned to use COGNET to test new features that would be based on neuroanatomic and physiological information. >
Does More Public Health Spending Buy Better Health

Background:In this article, we attempt to address a persistent question in the health policy literature: Does more public health spending buy better health? This is a difficult question to answer d...
COMPLEMENTATION ANALYSIS OF MALE FERTILITY AMONG THE SEGREGATION DISTORTER CHROMOSOMES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

The fecundities of 55 genotypes of the form SD(i)/SD(j) generated by 11 different SD chromosomes have been examined. Five of the genotypes are lethal The fecundities of the rest fall into a pattern of fertility and sterility that is highly suggestive of intracistronic complementation. The complementation leading to male fertility is only partial complementation: the fecundity of most fertile genotypes is less than half that of controls. The three components of the SD system, the Sd locus, the Ac locus, and the modifiers in 2R, were examined separately, and it appears that the complementation is a phenomenon associated with the Sd locus. A hypothesis of the molecular events involved in segregation distortion is formulated in the light of these observations. The model is based on the assumption that the Sd locus produces a multimeric molecule that regulates the activity of the Ac(=Rsp) locus during spermatogenesis.
Efflux Pump Overexpression in Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Mutants of Bacteroides fragilis

Multidrug-resistant mutants of a wild-type Bacteroides fragilis strain (strain ADB77) and a quadruple resistance nodulation division family efflux pump deletion mutant (ADB77 ΔbmeB1 ΔbmeB3 ΔbmeB12 ΔbmeB15) were selected with antimicrobials. Ampicillin, doripenem, imipenem, levofloxacin, and metronidazole selected for mutants from both strains; cefoxitin selected for mutants from strain ADB77 only; and sodium dodecyl sulfate selected mutants from ADB77ΔbmeB1 ΔbmeB3 ΔbmeB12 ΔbmeB15 only. The mutants overexpressed one or more efflux pumps.
Ergodic capacity of MIMO triply selective Rayleigh fading channels

New results are presented for the ergodic capacity of spatially-correlated, time-varying and frequency-selective (i.e., triply selective) MIMO Rayleigh fading channels. Simplified capacity formulas are also derived for special cases such as SIMO and MISO triply selective fading channels. A closed form formula is proposed that quantifies the effect of the frequency-selective fading on the ergodic capacity into an intersymbol interference (ISI) degradation factor. It is discovered that, in general frequency-selective MIMO channels, the ISI inter-tap correlations reduce the ergodic capacity compared to the frequency flat fading channel. Only in the special case when the fading does not have ISI inter-tap correlations will the ergodic capacity be the same as that of the frequency flat channel. The new capacity results are experimentally verified via Monte-Carlo simulations.