cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17378: Atheroprotective Laminar Flow Represses the H3k27me3 Epigenetic Mark in Human Endothelial Cells Through Down-regulation of Ezh2

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is an epigenetic disease, in which pro-atherosclerotic factors, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), oxidized LDL, high glucose, disturbed flow (oscillatory shear stress), and homocysteine impacts DNA methylation and histone modifications on specific gene loci in vascular cells. However, it remains largely unknown whether atheroprotective laminar flow regulates endothelial function by modifying histone methylation. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase enzyme and the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which methylates lysine-27 (H3K27me) of histone H3, leading to transcriptional repression of the affected target gene. Hypothesis: Laminar flow affects EZH2 mediated histone methylation and downregulation of EZH2/H3K27me3 mediates the atheroprotective effects of laminar flow. Methods: Western blot, real time PCR, en face staining, ChIP aasay, RNA-sequencing. Results: Here we report that laminar flow decreases the H3K27me3 epigenetic mark in human endothelial cells (ECs) through down-regulation of EZH2, which in part mediates laminar flow atheroprotective action. In vivo, EZH2 expression and activity (H3K27me3) was significantly diminished in laminar flow area of mouse aorta. In vitro, EZH2 expression and activity (H3K27me3) was reduced in cultured human ECs subjected to laminar flow . Moreover, laminar flow decreased expression of EZH2 via flow-responsive miR101. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) profiling in EZH2-depleted ECs reveals that EZH2 regulates a cohort of genes relevant to vascular inflammation. Like laminar flow, siRNA-mediated EZH2 depletion or pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 activity reduced TNF-α induced monocyte adhesion to human ECs. Conclusions: Collectively, our results demonstrate that laminar flow modulates the EZH2/H3K27me3 pathway in ECs. Our findings also suggest that EZH2 critically regulates the inflammatory status in endothelium and pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 may therefore be a promising strategy for treating atherosclerotic vascular disease.
The Impact of Data Quantity and Source on the Quality of Data-Driven Hints for Programming

In the domain of programming, intelligent tutoring systems increasingly employ data-driven methods to automate hint generation. Evaluations of these systems have largely focused on whether they can reliably provide hints for most students, and how much data is needed to do so, rather than how useful the resulting hints are to students. We present a method for evaluating the quality of data-driven hints and how their quality is impacted by the data used to generate them. Using two datasets, we investigate how the quantity of data and the source of data (whether it comes from students or experts) impact one hint generation algorithm. We find that with student training data, hint quality stops improving after 15–20 training solutions and can decrease with additional data. We also find that student data outperforms a single expert solution but that a comprehensive set of expert solutions generally performs best.
Fentanyl Delays the Platelet Inhibition Effects of Oral Ticagrelor: Full Report of the PACIFY Randomized Clinical Trial

Morphine delays oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitor absorption and is associated with adverse outcomes after myocardial infarction. Consequently, many physicians and first responders are now considering fentanyl as an alternative. We conducted a single-centre trial randomizing cardiac patients undergoing coronary angiography to intravenous fentanyl or not. All participants received local anaesthetic and intravenous midazolam. Those requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting received 180 mg oral ticagrelor intra-procedurally. The primary outcome was area under the ticagrelor plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–24 hours). The secondary outcomes were platelet function assessed at 2 hours after loading, measured by P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs) and light transmission platelet aggregometry. Troponin-I was measured post-PCI using a high-sensitivity troponin-I assay (hs-TnI). All participants completed a survey of pain and anxiety. Of the 212 randomized, 70 patients required coronary stenting and were loaded with ticagrelor. Two participants in the no-fentanyl arm crossed over to receive fentanyl for pain. In as-treated analyses, ticagrelor concentrations were higher in the no-fentanyl arm (AUC0–24 hours 70% larger, p = 0.03). Platelets were more inhibited by 2 hours in the no-fentanyl arm (71 vs. 113 by PRU, p = 0.03, and 25% vs. 41% for adenosine diphosphate response by platelet aggregation, p Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02683707 (NCT02683707).
Critical Success Factors for Distance Education Programs

Distance education’s primary driver is that it is the major growth segment in the education industry. In 1999, nearly 80% of the public, four-year institutions and over 60% of the public, two-year institutions offered distance education courses. Over 1.6 million students are enrolled in distance courses today. Over 90% of all colleges are expected to offer some online courses by 2004 (Institute of Higher Education Policy, 2000). Corporations envision online training warehouses saving large amounts of training dollars. Combined, the virtual education market and its sister market, corporate learning, are predicted to grow to over $21 billion by the end of 2003 (Svetcov, 2000). A second major driver is employer expectations. Fundamental job market expectations are changing. Today, employees are not expected to stay in the same job for long periods of time; 20-plus year careers are not expected. The current modes of careers include multiple careers, combinations of part-time work in multiple jobs, telecommuting, leaving and re-entering into the full-time work force, switching jobs, and so forth, and today’s employee easily accepts the need to maintain a level of knowledge current with the career demands (Boyatzis & Kram, 1999). To complement these changes in employer expectations, employees have begun to accept the need for life-long learning. A third driver is the profit potential. Cost savings may be obtained and if significant enough may drive up demand and costs may be lowered. For example, elective classes that do not have enough students enrolled in them on-campus may pick up enough distance students to make teaching the course more feasible (Creahan & Hoge, 1998). A final driver is the institution’s mission. Most educational institutions serve a geographical region, either by charter or mission, and a distance-learning program may be a practical method to help satisfy this strategic mission (Creahan & Hoge, 1998). However, the “commercialization” of education raises its own concerns about the basic process of learning (Noble, 1999). For example, are there any problems fundamental to the distance environment because of limited social interaction? Retention may be one such problem. Carr (2000) reports a 50% drop-out rate for online courses. Tinto (1975) compared the learning retention of distance groups with traditional groups and found that the social integration was a key factor in successful retention of traditional groups. Haythornthwaite et al. (2000) think they found another one. They looked at how social cues such as text without voice,
Bone preserving technique for reverse arthroplasty: The preferred management option for osteoarthritis with glenoid bone loss in patients 70 and older

Abstract Elderly patients with shoulder arthritis and glenoid bone loss represent a challenging patient population. Surgical treatment options include hemiarthroplasty, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with bone grafting or augmentation, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The RSA has multiple advantages compared to anatomic TSA, particularly in an older patient population with glenoid bone loss. RSA with an augmented glenoid baseplate is ideal for the treatment of patients who have glenoid bone loss. The augmented base plate has many advantages including bone preservation, longer central and peripheral screws, ability to dial the augment to match the region of bone deficiency, and lateralization to improve tensioning on the deltoid and rotator cuff. Additionally, a bone preserving RSA is possible with an augmented glenoid baseplate in patients with no glenoid bone loss.
Robust CAPM Estimation through Cross Validation

Limitations of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) continue to present inconsistent empirical results despite CAPM’s firm mathematical foundations provided in numerous studies. In this article, the authors examine how estimation errors of the CAPM can be minimized using the cross-validation technique, a concept that is widely applied in machine learning (ML-CAPM). They apply their approach to test the assumption that the CAPM is a well-diversified portfolio model by using data from the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The results from the ML-CAPM validate both market indexes as well diversified, with statistically insignificant variation in unsystematic risks during and after the 2007 financial crisis. Furthermore, the ML-CAPM provides smaller root mean square error and mean absolute deviations compared to the traditional CAPM.
The Influence of System Transfer on Perceptions of Association between Education and Development: A Comparison of Three Eras of Mozambican Education

In this study I assessed why the phenomenon of system transfer influences perceptions of association between education and development in Mozambique. I analyze the interaction of key concepts, i.e., education, development, and system transfer within the frameworks of economic nationalism, Marxism-Leninism, and Liberal theories of development. I have utilized psychological or conceptual historical methodology (Leedy, 1997) by assessing the impact of an idea or concept on perceptions. The assessment was administered through a critical analysis of three primary source documents, as well as a variety of secondary source documents, pertaining to the Salazar [1924-1966], Machel [1975-1986], and Chissano [1986- ] administrations. The findings were that (a) the colonial government created economic and educational systems particularly for colonizing Mozambique whereas the Machel and Chissano administrations adopted foreign systems of government and education without altering inherent theoretical basis of the systems transferred; (b) all administrations perceived the association between education and development as circular rather than linear causality; (c) the Machel and Chissano administrations focused on primary education, literacy campaigns, and education of women/girls because they believed that each of these was imperative for the development of the country.
Contact-Driven Posture Behavior for Safe and Interactive Robot Operation

When performing tasks in uncertain environments and around humans, robots are likely to collide unexpectedly with people or objects. In order to ensure safety, most approaches rely on collision avoidance and try to prevent any contact from happening, which may result in unnecessary interruption of a task that would be feasible in spite of the obstacle. On the one hand, when an unexpected contact occurs, a safe robot behavior is required. On the other hand, it might be interesting to exploit the contact instead of moving away from it. In this paper, we present a contact-driven approach for safe and interactive robot operation to react to unforeseen contact events. This approach offers the possibility to control the contact while minimizing its effects on the robot tasks. It relies exclusively on the robot model and proprioceptive sensors. It is tested in simulation and hardware experiments on a 7 degrees of freedom robot arm and shows a safe contact behavior that does not interfere with the task, and as little as possible with the robot posture requirements.
High-Throughput Identification of Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. Tomato in Tomato using Seedling Flood Assay

Tomato is an agronomically important crop that can be infected by Pseudomonas syringae, a Gram-negative bacterium, resulting in bacterial speck disease. The tomato-P. syringae pv. tomato pathosystem is widely used to dissect the genetic basis of plant innate responses and disease resistance. While disease was successfully managed for many decades through the introduction of the Pto/Prf gene cluster from Solanum pimpinellifolium into cultivated tomato, race 1 strains of P. syringae have evolved to overcome resistance conferred by the Pto/Prf gene cluster and occur worldwide. Wild tomato species are important reservoirs of natural diversity in pathogen recognition, because they evolved in diverse environments with different pathogen pressures. In typical screens for disease resistance in wild tomato, adult plants are used, which can limit the number of plants that can be screened due to their extended growth time and greater growth space requirements. We developed a method to screen 10-day-old tomato seedlings for resistance, which minimizes plant growth time and growth chamber space, allows a rapid turnover of plants, and allows large sample sizes to be tested. Seedling outcomes of survival or death can be treated as discrete phenotypes or on a resistance scale defined by amount of new growth in surviving seedlings after flooding. This method has been optimized to screen 10-day-old tomato seedlings for resistance to two P. syringae strains and can easily be adapted to other P. syringae strains.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Increase Amyloid-β Immunity, Energy, and Circadian Rhythm for Cognitive Protection of Alzheimer's Disease Patients Beyond Cholinesterase Inhibitors.

Background The cholinesterase inhibitor therapeutics (CI) approved for use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are palliative for a limited time. Objective To examine the outcome of AD patients with add-on therapy of the omega-3 fatty acid drink Smartfish. Methods We performed a prospective study using Mini-Mental State Examination, amyloid-β (Aβ) phagocytosis blood assay, and RNA-seq of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 28 neurodegenerative patients who had failed their therapies, including 8 subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), 8 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 2 AD dementia, 1 frontotemporal dementia (FTD), 2 vascular cognitive impairment, and 3 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) patients. Results MCI, FTD, and DLB patients patients volunteered for the addition of a ω-3 fatty acid drink Smartfish protected by anti-oxidants to failing CI therapy. On this therapy, all MCI patients improved in the first year energy transcripts, Aβ phagocytosis, cognition, and activities of daily living; in the long term, they remained in MCI status two to 4.5 years. All FTD and DLB patients rapidly progressed to dementia. On in vivo or in vitroω-3 treatments, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of MCI patients upregulated energy enzymes for glycolysis and citric acid cycle, as well as the anti-inflammatory circadian genes CLOCK and ARNTL2. Conclusion Add-on ω-3 therapy to CI may delay dementia in certain patients who had failed single CI therapy.
Mandatory arrest for domestic violence and repeat offending: A meta-analysis

Abstract Historically, domestic violence (DV) has been viewed as a private matter, which limited law enforcement's response to incidents of DV. Shifting perceptions of DV over time and a rise in public pressure to protect DV victims led to efforts within the criminal justice system to better respond to DV incidents. Specifically, mandatory arrest policies, driven by the landmark Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment, were widely adopted in an effort to reduce the likelihood of repeat offending and by effect revictimization. Subsequent replications of the experiment tended to find that arrest of DV offenders did not reduce the likelihood of another offense being committed over the follow-up period. To make sense of the mixed findings regarding the efficacy of mandatory arrest for DV, the current meta-analysis synthesizes the results of 11 published studies to determine whether arrest has an effect on crimes being committed following an arrest for DV. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that arrest did not limit the likelihood of another offense being committed during the follow-up periods and likely did not have a deterrent effect on DV offenders. Moderating variables, including research design and length of follow-up, were also analyzed. Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Calcium ion selective membrane electrode

Abstract The calcium salts of the mono- and diesters of [4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl phosphoric acid] have been prepared, and the individual esters as well as mixtures of the esters have been used with several varieties of polyvinyl chloride to construct macro membrane electrodes selective to calcium ions. These electrodes have been calibrated by using solutions of CaCl2 and Ca ion buffers. The mixed ester electrodes showed Nernstian response in the concentration range 10-1 to 10-7M; the diester electrodes showed Nernstian response down to 7.9 x 10-8M. The detection limit of the mixed ester electrode was 10-8M, whereas that of the diester electrode was 7.9 x 10-9M. Contrary to these results, the monoester electrodes showed unsatisfactory behavior. The responses of both the mixed ester and diester electrodes to calcium ions were not affected by the presence of sodium, potassium, or other divalent ions. Only ferric and lanthanum ions showed interferences with the electrode response to calcium ions. p]The electrode response was independent of pH in the approximate range 5–8 at a CaCl2 concentration of 10-4M. As the Ca ion concentration was increased, the range of pH independence widened to approximately 4–8. The dynamic response time constant of the mixed ester electrode was in the range 0.7–1.5 sec, whereas that of the diester electrode was in the range 0.5–0.75 sec.
Dnmt3a knockout in excitatory neurons impairs postnatal synapse maturation and is partly compensated by repressive histone modification H3K27me3

Two epigenetic pathways of repression, DNA methylation and Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) mediated gene silencing, regulate neuron development and function, but their respective contributions are unknown. We found that conditional loss of the de novo DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3a in mouse excitatory neurons altered expression of synapse-related genes, stunted synapse maturation, and impaired working memory and social interest. Loss of Dnmt3a abolished postnatal accumulation of CG and non-CG DNA methylation, leaving neurons with an unmethylated, fetal-like epigenomic pattern at ~140,000 genomic regions. The PRC2-associated histone modification H3K27me3 increased at many of these sites, partially compensating for the loss of DNA methylation. Our data support a dynamic interaction between two fundamental modes of epigenetic repression during postnatal maturation of excitatory neurons, which together confer robustness on neuronal regulation.
The relationship of semantic intrusions to different etiological subtypes of MCI and cognitively healthy older adults.

INTRODUCTION There is increasing evidence that susceptibility to proactive semantic interference (PSI) and the failure to recover from PSI (frPSI) as evidenced by intrusion errors may be early cognitive markers of both preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS One hundred forty-five participants were administered extensive clinical and neuropsychological evaluations including the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L), a sensitive cognitive stress test measuring PSI and frPSI. Participants also underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and amyloid positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. RESULTS PSI and frPSI errors were much more prevalent in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI)-AD (amyloid positive) group than the other diagnostic groups. The number of intrusion errors observed across the other MCI groups without amyloid pathology and those with normal cognition were comparable. DISCUSSION Semantic intrusion errors on the LASSI-L occur much less frequently in persons who have different types of non-AD-related MCI and may be used as an early cognitive marker of prodromal AD.
3D file formats for graphics projects

Although the standard graphics class is often taught from a theoretical standpoint, a student's education is inevitably enhanced by carefully designed programming projects. Many of the projects found in textbooks are artificial and as a result are not very interesting to serious students of graphics. In an attempt to spice up the projects a number of real world 3D file formats were investigated to determine those that were appropriate for use in undergraduate graphics projects. This paper discusses three such projects, together with a review of the associated file format.
Assessing arrhythmia burden after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using an implantable loop recorder: the ABACUS study.

Assessing Arrhythmia Burden After AblationIntroduction Arrhythmia monitoring in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is challenging. Transtelephonic monitors (TTMs) are cumbersome to use and provide limited temporal assessment. Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) may overcome these limitations. We sought to evaluate the utility of ILRs versus conventional monitoring (CM) in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results Forty-four patients undergoing AF ablation received ILRs and CM (30-day TTM at discharge and months 5 and 11 postablation). Over the initial 6 months, clinical decisions were made based on CM. Subjects were then randomized for the remaining 6 months to arrhythmia assessment and management by ILR versus CM. The primary endpoint was arrhythmia recurrence. The secondary endpoint was actionable clinical events (change of antiarrhythmic drugs [AADs], anticoagulation, non-AF arrhythmia events, etc.) due to either monitoring strategy. Over the study period, 6 patients withdrew. In the first 6 months, AF recurred in 18 patients (7 noted by CM, 18 by ILR; P = 0.002). Five patients in the CM (28%) and 5 in the ILR arm (25%; P = NS) had AF recurrence during the latter 6 months. AF was falsely diagnosed frequently by ILR (730 of 1,421 episodes; 51%). In more patients in the ILR compared with the CM arm, rate control agents (60% vs 39%, P = 0.02) and AADs (71% vs 44%, P = 0.04) were discontinued. Conclusion In AF ablation patients, ILR can detect more arrhythmias than CM. However, false detection remains a challenge. With adequate oversight, ILRs may be useful in monitoring these patients after ablation.
Tenure and Promotion: Criteria and Procedures Used by University of Louisiana System Libraries

Tenure-track academic librarians in the University of Louisiana System (ULS) must satisfy varying procedural criteria before they earn tenure and promotion. For example, prior to 2007, the tenure and promotion guidelines of Sims Library, Southeastern Louisiana University, did not require librarians to publish in order to earn tenure, but did require publication to earn promotion. In 2007 Southeastern revised its tenure and promotion policy to link tenure with a promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor, suddenly requiring all librarians to publish. As Sims Library began to revise its tenure and promotion guidelines, the authors became curious about how tenure and promotion policies differ among the ULS institutions, apart from the general guidelines required by the university system. This article explores the tenure and promotion criteria of the nine ULS academic libraries and discusses the procedural variations of each institution.
MR findings in adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy

PURPOSE To describe the MR findings of brain and spinal cord in adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy. METHODS One hundred sixty-four adult patients ranging from 19 to 74 years of age (119 men and 45 women) with clinically and biochemically proved adrenoleukodystrophy underwent MR of the brain. In 30 patients the spinal cord also was evaluated with MR. RESULTS The brain MR findings were abnormal in 54 of 119 males and in 9 of 45 female heterozygotes and consisted of varying degrees of demyelination of the cerebral white matter in 40 patients, corpus callosum in 25 patients, corticospinal tracts in 46 patients, visual tracts in 31 patients, and auditory tracts in 18 patients. The thoracic spinal cord showed diffuse atrophy in 18 of 20 men and in 8 of 10 women. CONCLUSION It is important to recognize the MR findings of adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy, because not uncommonly the clinical and MR findings of adrenoleukodystrophy are misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, olivopontocerebellar or spinocerebellar atrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or dementia. Analysis of the MR findings and correlation of the clinical findings has permitted a tentative subdivision of adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy population into four subtypes that appear to differ in respect to prognosis and possibly pathogenesis. MR evaluation of the brain in adrenoleukodystrophy also is helpful in patient selection for experimental therapy, which is most effective if offered in the early stage of the disease.
Digitizing the flea market: eBay as a data source for historic collections

The online auction site eBay has overtaken face-to-face transactions as the primary means of doing business for collectors and sellers of unique and ephemeral materials. Historical societies, museums, and archives also increasingly collect ephemera as records of social and cultural history. This presentation argues that the digitized flea market, as epitomized by eBay, replaces in-person sales while also providing a stream of rich information about a previously invisible, unquantifiable marketplace. Furthermore, identifying factors that influence collectibles buyers' behavior in online auction sales can also shed light on factors affecting user behaviors in digital libraries. Data from a survey of over 1,000 recent home movie auction listings on eBay suggest how eBay may be used as a data source by collectors, as well as the users and designers of digital libraries.
ACP Journal Club. Ginkgo biloba extract did not reduce risk for Alzheimer disease in elderly patients with memory complaints.

Source Citation Vellas B, Coley N, Ousset PJ, et al; GuidAge Study Group. Long-term use of standardised ginkgo biloba extract for the prevention of Alzheimers disease (GuidAge): a randomised placeb...
High-power, strained-layer amplifiers and lasers with tapered gain regions

Laterally tapered gain regions designed to accommodate the diffraction of narrow single-lobe beams that have been used in both optical amplifiers and lasers are described. Amplifier output power of 3.5 W with 3.1 W in a 1.05 times diffraction-limited lobe and laser output power of over 4 W with approximately half the power in a 1.7 times diffraction-limited lobe have been achieved. >
Hybrid local FEM/global LISA modeling of guided wave propagation and interaction with damage in composite structures

This paper presents a hybrid modeling technique for the efficient simulation of guided wave propagation and interaction with damage in composite structures. This hybrid approach uses a local finite element model (FEM) to compute the excitability of guided waves generated by piezoelectric transducers, while the global domain wave propagation, wave-damage interaction, and boundary reflections are modeled with the local interaction simulation approach (LISA). A small-size multi-physics FEM with non-reflective boundaries (NRB) was built to obtain the excitability information of guided waves generated by the transmitter. Frequency-domain harmonic analysis was carried out to obtain the solution for all the frequencies of interest. Fourier and inverse Fourier transform and frequency domain convolution techniques are used to obtain the time domain 3-D displacement field underneath the transmitter under an arbitrary excitation. This 3-D displacement field is then fed into the highly efficient time domain LISA simulation module to compute guided wave propagation, interaction with damage, and reflections at structural boundaries. The damping effect of composite materials was considered in the modified LISA formulation. The grids for complex structures were generated using commercial FEM preprocessors and converted to LISA connectivity format. Parallelization of the global LISA solution was achieved through Compute Unified Design Architecture (CUDA) running on Graphical Processing Unit (GPU). The multi-physics local FEM can reliably capture the detailed dimensions and local dynamics of the piezoelectric transducers. The global domain LISA can accurately solve the 3-D elastodynamic wave equations in a highly efficient manner. By combining the local FEM with global LISA, the efficient and accurate simulation of guided wave structural health monitoring procedure is achieved. Two numerical case studies are presented: (1) wave propagation in a unidirectional CFRP composite plate; (2) wave propagation in a stiffened cross-ply CFRP plate with delamination.
Induction of mutations in bacteria by a fragment of DNA from herpes simplex virus type 1

A bacterial assay was developed for the study of mutagenesis by DNA of herpes simplex viruses. The histidine mutations from two of the Ames mutagenesis tester strains were recombined into the Salmonella histidine operon of the F'8 plasmid and each was transferred to a derivative strain of E. coli C from which the resident histidine operon had been deleted. One tester strain could be reverted by a chemical mutagen which induces frameshift mutations and the other could be reverted by a mutagen which induces base-pair substitution mutations. The BamHI G fragment of herpes simplex virus type 1 was cloned in each orientation into the BamHI site of the expression vectors pUC7, pUC8 and pUC9 and were introduced into the new strains of E. coli. The pUC9 plasmid carrying the BamHI G fragment of herpes simplex virus type 1 with the G-E' site closest to the lac promoter showed a higher rate of reversion in the frameshift strain, which varied up to 39-fold greater than the background rate. Since many mutagens are carcinogenic these data suggest the existence of a mutagenic peptide of herpes simplex virus type 1 which might be involved in cell transformation.
The generalized advancing conformal contact problem with friction, pin loads and remote loading – Case of rigid pin

Abstract The advancing, frictional contact problem for a rigid pin indenting an infinite plate with a circular hole is considered. The formulation is general, and considers remotely applied plate-stresses in addition to pin loads. Using the theory of generalized functions, it is found that the governing equation in full sliding is a singular integro-differential equation (SIDE). Partial-slip behavior is governed by an implicit, coupled singular integral equation (SIE) pair. Numerical solutions are presented for both types of problems. It is found that the contact tractions in monotonic loading become independent of the coefficient of friction above a certain threshold value. Finally, problems involving typical ‘fretting-type’ pin loads with and without remote-stresses are also investigated, revealing remarkable effects of the degree of conformality and load path on the steady-state traction distributions.
OPEC in world financial markets: Oil prices and interest rates

Abstract This article examines the relationship between the real rate of interest in world financial markets and the price of oil. If OPEC cannot be viewed as a ‘small’ participant in world financial markets, and should its savings and portfolio behavior differ from that of the rest of the world, then wealth shifts to or from OPEC would affect world interest rates. Subsequently, this paper examines the magnitude of oil price changes required to elicit a significant interest rate change. Our empirical results shed light on OPEC's behavior, which at times may differ from a pure profit maximizing cartel. The short-run price elasticity of the world demand for oil is -0.04 and the long-run elasticity is -0.10. OPEC itself, as expected, faces higher elasticities of -0.08 and -0.36, respectively. The demand elasticity of oil with respect to ‘world’ GNP is 0.8. A major objective of this paper has been to determine the effect of changes in oil prices on world interest rates, and vice versa. Our results imply that only very large oil price increases will have a significant impact on world interest rates. However, oil prices show a non-negligible sensitivity to changes in world interest rates.
A method for implantation of a chronically indwelling intravenous catheter in the pigeon

A procedure is described for infusing liquids directly into the bloodstream of freely moving unanesthetized pigeons. The system can be used for infusing drugs periodically or chronically for many months. Its potential for studying the stimulus properties of drugs, state dependent learning, drug self-administration, as well as the unconditioned responses to noncontingent intravenous drug administration in pigeons is discussed.
Implication and reasoning in mental state attribution: Comments on Jane Heal's theory of co-cognition

Simulation theory explains third-person mental state attribution in terms of an attributor's ability to imaginatively mimic other people's mental processes. Jane Heal's version of simulation theory...
OPTIMAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DESIGN FOR VARIABLE LOADINGS

Abstract This paper is directed toward the development of overall minimum cost designs that incorporate typical daily influent variability, along with the specific performance and cost functions of the unit processes in the particular flowsheet. Consideration is given to optimal selection of capital investment in the face of randomly varying operating costs over the design period. The present analysis includes only conventional wastewater treatment processes: primary sedimentation, trickling filtration, secondary sedimentation, and sludge processing Long-term, 24-hour, flow-composited influent, effluent and intraprocess operating records for five municipal treatment plants in the eastern United States were subject to analysis of variance in order to ascertain the relative importance of seasonal, day-of-week, and other variability. For each unit process an explicit performance function in terms of the process geometry, recirculation policy, etc. is developed. The use of stepwise multiple regression techniq...
Full thickness eye wall resection in various species.

A technique for resecting a sizeable portion of the posterior segment is described. The procedure, involves stabilization of the eyeball and fixation of the operative area with a ring shaped device (eyebasket). Full-thickness (sclera, choroid, and retina) resection was performed within the ring, and the resected area was replaced with a scleral homograft. No retinal detachments occurred, and there was no inflammatory reaction to the graft. Several cases were complicated by moderate vitreous hemorrhage, but in each case, the hemorrhage was resorbed within 6–8 weeks. Prophylactic photocoagulation four weeks prior to surgery (done on 10 of the rabbits) prevented the occurrence of vitreous hemorrhage.
Immune mechanisms in cerebral ischemic tolerance

Stressor-induced tolerance is a central mechanism in the response of bacteria, plants, and animals to potentially harmful environmental challenges. This response is characterized by immediate changes in cellular metabolism and by the delayed transcriptional activation or inhibition of genetic programs that are not generally stressor specific (cross-tolerance). These programs are aimed at countering the deleterious effects of the stressor. While induction of this response (preconditioning) can be established at the cellular level, activation of systemic networks is essential for the protection to occur throughout the organs of the body. This is best signified by the phenomenon of remote ischemic preconditioning, whereby application of ischemic stress to one tissue or organ induces ischemic tolerance in remote organs through humoral, cellular and neural signaling. The immune system is an essential component in cerebral ischemic tolerance acting simultaneously both as mediator and target. This dichotomy is based on the fact that activation of inflammatory pathways is necessary to establish ischemic tolerance and that ischemic tolerance can be, in part, attributed to a subdued immune activation after index ischemia. Here we describe the components of the immune system required for induction of ischemic tolerance and review the mechanisms by which a reprogrammed immune response contributes to the neuroprotection observed after preconditioning. Learning how local and systemic immune factors participate in endogenous neuroprotection could lead to the development of new stroke therapies.
Tannic Acid Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus Surface Colonization in an IsaA-Dependent Manner

Staphylococcus aureus is a human commensal and pathogen that is capable of forming biofilms on a variety of host tissues and implanted medical devices. Biofilm-associated infections resist antimicrobial chemotherapy and attack from the host immune system, making these infections particularly difficult to treat. In order to gain insight into environmental conditions that influence S. aureus biofilm development, we screened a library of small molecules for the ability to inhibit S. aureus biofilm formation. This led to the finding that the polyphenolic compound tannic acid inhibits S. aureus biofilm formation in multiple biofilm models without inhibiting bacterial growth. We present evidence that tannic acid inhibits S. aureus biofilm formation via a mechanism dependent upon the putative transglycosylase IsaA. Tannic acid did not inhibit biofilm formation of an isaA mutant. Overexpression of wild-type IsaA inhibited biofilm formation, whereas overexpression of a catalytically dead IsaA had no effect. Tannin-containing drinks like tea have been found to reduce methicillin-resistant S. aureus nasal colonization. We found that black tea inhibited S. aureus biofilm development and that an isaA mutant resisted this inhibition. Antibiofilm activity was eliminated from tea when milk was added to precipitate the tannic acid. Finally, we developed a rodent model for S. aureus throat colonization and found that tea consumption reduced S. aureus throat colonization via an isaA-dependent mechanism. These findings provide insight into a molecular mechanism by which commonly consumed polyphenolic compounds, such as tannins, influence S. aureus surface colonization.
Sequential contiguity and short-term memory in children's discrimination learning.

Abstract In two experiments preschool children's performance on a successive discrimation was an increasing function of sequential contiguity (the probability that presentation of a given stimulus is followed by another presentation of that same stimulus rather than by presentation of a different stimulus). An explanation of this sequential contiguity effect in terms of short-term memory processes received considerable support.
Central nervous system effects and behavioral interactions with ethanol of centrally administered dilazep and its metabolites in mice.

Dilazep (i.p.), a coronary vasodilator and an uptake inhibitor of adenosine, dose dependently potentiated acute ethanol-induced motor incoordination in mice. In view of peripheral cardiovascular depressive effects of dilazep, the effect of i.c.v. dilazep (25, 50 and 75 micrograms), and its metabolites, 1,4-bis(3-hydroxypropyl)perhydro-1,4-diazepine (BHPD) (15, 31 and 62 micrograms) and 1-[3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyloxy)propyl]perhydro-1,4-diazepine (TBPD) (62 and 125 micrograms) on ethanol-induced motor incoordination was studied. Dose-related potentiation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination was noted with dilazep and its metabolites. Whereas dilazep (i.p.) produced no apparent central nervous system (CNS) effects, by i.c.v. route, it caused CNS excitation including tonic-clonic seizures. Adenosine uptake inhibition, Ca2+ entry blockade or direct activation of adenosine receptors was ruled out as the possible mechanism of seizures because dipyridamole, verapamil or N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) administered i.c.v., while potentiating ethanol (i.p.)-induced motor incoordination did not produce seizures. The CNS excitation was minimal with BHPD and none with TBPD. Theophylline pretreatment partially blocked potentiation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination by dilazep and BHPD and not by TBPD. The data suggest dilazep-induced potentiation of ethanol-induced motor incoordination is partially due to central adenosine receptor mechanism and partly due to other yet unknown mechanism(s) and further supported our earlier reports about adenosine involvement in the CNS effects of ethanol. The data also suggest that dilazep (i.c.v.)-induced seizures are due to mechanism(s) other than adenosine uptake inhibition, Ca2+ entry blockade or direct adenosine receptor activation.
A recursive formula for weights of Boolean rotation symmetric functions

For the last dozen years or so, there has been much research on the applications of rotation symmetric Boolean functions with n variables in cryptography. In particular, the Hamming weights of these functions have been studied, because knowledge of these weights is important if the functions are to be useful in cryptography. Only in 2009, in a paper by Kim et?al., there was a closed formula for the weights as a function of n obtained for some of these functions in the simplest case of quadratic functions. In this paper, we present a method for recursively computing the weights of certain kinds of rotation symmetric Boolean functions with arbitrary degree. Using some recent work of Cusick on the affine equivalence classes of certain cubic rotation symmetric functions, we obtain some detailed information on relationships between the weights of some of these cubic functions as n increases. This leads to some very specific information about previously unsuspected connections between the truth tables of various cubic rotation symmetric functions.
Role of protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor-1 in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology

The type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) is a critical negative regulator of Ca2+ cycling and contractility in the cardiomyocyte. In particular, it mediates restoration of cardiac function to basal levels, after β-adrenergic stimulation, by dephosphorylating key phospho-proteins. PP1 is a holoenzyme comprised of its catalytic and auxiliary subunits. These regulatory proteins dictate PP1's subcellular localization, substrate specificity and activity. Amongst them, inhibitor-1 is of particular importance since it has been implicated as an integrator of multiple neurohormonal pathways, which finely regulate PP1 activity, at the level of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In fact, perturbations in the regulation of PP1 by inhibitor-1 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of heart failure, suggesting that inhibitor-1-based therapeutic interventions may ameliorate cardiac dysfunction and remodeling in the failing heart. This review will discuss the current views on the role of inhibitor-1 in cardiac physiology, its possible contribution to cardiac disease and its potential as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Romans 8.29–30 and the Question of the Ordo Salutis

‭This essay addresses recent criticisms of the doctrine of the ordo salutis (order of salvation) in early modern Reformed theology by (1) surveying recent criticisms, (2) explaining early modern Reformed expressions of the ordo salutis, particularly as they employ the concept of the sorites, a Greco-Roman form of rhetorical argument found in the apostle Paul’s letters, but especially Rom 8.29–30, (3) arguing for the validity and correctness of the early modern exegesis and exposition of Rom 8.29–30, (4) exploring the systematic-theological implications of Paul’s use of a sorites in Rom 8.29–30.‬
Impaired perfusion after myocardial infarction is due to reperfusion- induced δPKC-mediated myocardial damage

Objective: To improve myocardial flow during reperfusion after acute myocardial infarction and to elucidate the molecular and cellular basis that impedes it. According to the AHA/ACC recommendation, an ideal reperfusion treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) should not only focus on restoring flow in the occluded artery, but should aim to reduce microvascular damage to improve blood flow in the infarcted myocardium. Methods: Transgenic mouse hearts expressing the δPKC (protein kinase C) inhibitor, δV1-1, in their myocytes only were treated with or without the δPKC inhibitor after ischemia in an ex vivo AMI model. δV1-1 or vehicle was also delivered at reperfusion in an in vivo porcine model of AMI. Microvascular dysfunction was assessed by physiological and histological measurements. Results: δPKC inhibition in the endothelial cells improved myocardial perfusion in the transgenic mice. In the porcine in vivo AMI model, coronary flow reserve (CFR), which is impaired for 6 days following infarction, was improved immediately following a one-minute treatment at the end of the ischemic period with the δPKC-selective inhibitor, δV1-1 (∼250 ng/kg), and was completely corrected by 24 h. Myocardial contrast echocardiography, electron microscopy studies, and TUNEL staining demonstrated δPKC-mediated microvascular damage. ePKC-induced preconditioning, which also reduces infarct size by >60%, did not improve microvascular function. Conclusions: These data suggest that δPKC activation in the microvasculature impairs blood flow in the infarcted tissue after restoring flow in the occluded artery and that AMI patients with no-reflow may therefore benefit from treatment with a δPKC inhibitor given in conjunction with removal of the coronary occlusion.
Plasmonics with spatially engineered polarization

In this talk, I will present examples of plasmonic nanofocusing devices inspired by the polarization mode matching concept in antenna theory. These plasmonic devices can be applied in photo detector designs to provide added functionalities.
Age and practice effects in continuous recognition memory.

Older and younger women identified new and repeated items in extended lists of letter-number combinations (e.g., "A42G"). Repeated items occurred at intervals ranging from 0 to 32 items (0 to 160 s) and for different lists the items were either visual or auditory. The older women's performances declined at a more rapid rate as the retention interval was increased. When the older women practiced the auditory task, performances improved and gains transferred to the visual task. Gains by the younger women were equivalent, so that initial age differences were maintained. Signal detection analyses attributed age effects to differences in sensitivity rather than bias. For women of both ages, conservative bias was greater when the intervals were long and when the task was visual. The absence of age-bias effects was contrary to the hypothesis that older adults adopt more conservative decision strategies. The presence of sensitivity differences, even when the task was well practiced, suggests fundamental age differences in recognition memory.