cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological analysis on 764 cases of viral encephalitis in children in Longyan City

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of viral encephalitis in children in Longyan City for the disease control and prevention.Methods The epidemiological characteristics,clinical manifestation and lab examination were analyzed for 764 cases of viral encephalitis from 2004 to 2011.Results The cases showed no aggregation.Most of the cases were under 7years old and boys,and from May to July.Most of the cases showed fever(86.1%),headache(64.8%),vomiting(61.5%),intracranial pressure increasing(72.4%),the cell numbers of CSF increasing(58.4%)and electroencephalogram abnormal(79.0%).The viral positive rate of CSF was 18.6% and most of virus was ECV(90.1%).The outbreak of viral encephalitis caused by ECV19 and ECV6in 2004 and 2010respectively.Conclusion Most of viral encephalitis cases occur sporadically.The mostly clinical manifestations was with aseptic meningitis.The lab examination is helpful for the disease diagnosis.ECV is main pathogen and ECV30 is epidemic strain in Longyan City.
CBIO-26MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE PHOSPHATASE 1 EXERTS AN ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE AND PRO-APOPTOTIC BIAS IN GBM

BACKGROUND: The dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1, MKP-1) is a stress-induced enzyme that provides feedback inhibition on MAP kinases. While associated with chemoresistance in other cancers, DUSP1's role in glioblastoma remains unsettled. METHODS: To investigate DUSP1 expression in glioblastoma, we analyzed archived microarray data from the Repository for Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data (REMBRANDT) as well as a cohort of GBM tumors from the Rochester Brain Bank. DUSP1 regulation was also studied in vitro to define the response to hypoxia and chemotherapeutic exposure using qPCR and to explore effects of manipulating DUSP1 expression on proliferation and apoptosis by imaging flow cytometry. RESULTS: In silico analyses of GBM cases revealed marked variation in DUSP1 mRNA with levels below control specimens in up to 25% of cases. DUSP1 mRNA is also increased by disease-relevant factors including hypoxia, dexamethasone, and camptothecin in vitro. Enforced expression of DUSP1 increased levels of the pro-apoptotic factor BCL2-like 11 and exerted both anti-proliferative and pro-death effects, while DUSP1 knockdown enhanced cellular proliferation and survival. CONCLUSIONS: DUSP1 exerts an anti-proliferative and pro-death bias in GBM. While part of the observed variability in DUSP1 expression in vivo appears related to stimulatory effects of tumor ischemia and/or chemotherapeutic exposure, acquired loss of function mutations involving DUSP1 expression may be involved. Our findings argue that strategies geared towards increasing DUSP1 activity in situ could augment existing chemotherapeutic approaches.
High responsivity graphene-SOI heterojunction photodetectors and imaging array

We report a novel photodetector design based on graphene-SOI heterostructures. Single-pixel exhibits photoresponsivity higher than 20 A/W in near-infrared regime. In addition, a 1024-pixel imaging array utilizing this new photodetector design is also demonstrated.
The Lesbian Mother

Palko offers a comparative reading of Mary Dorcey’s Biography of Desire and Patricia Powell’s The Pagoda to explore the depth and impact of maternal bonds forged outside the heteronormative family, in Dorcey’s novel between the co-mother and her lover’s daughter, in Powell’s between the “father” (who is in actuality the mother passing as a man) and her daughter. These texts turn to the lesbian mother, thereby engaging a previously silenced perspective; Palko draws on the work of Diane Elise and Judith Halberstam to analyze the novels’ exploration of the queer family and its social consequences. They posit alternate perspectives that challenge a repressive normative, ultimately suggesting a difficult-to-reconcile tension between a maternal subjectivity and an autonomous ability to act on sexual desires.
Global Kinetic Analysis and Singular Value Decomposition Methods Applied to Complex Multicomponent Reactions of HNO

Global kinetic modeling, using single value decomposition software, allows the intimate investigation of complex time course spectra. An advantage of the method is that spectra and molar absorptivities are generated for all absorbing reactants and products, allowing the validation of transient species involved. But analyses of reactions involving HNO are inherently difficult as it must be generated in situ, and undergoes several concurrent and competitive reactions; thus its concentration profile is only available via kinetic modeling. In this report, sequential absorbance spectra is used to analyze reactions of HNO with a mixture of met- and deoxy-Mb, which have strongly overlapping spectra, and also to model the flux of HNO over the course of the reaction. The determined trapping rate constants, 2.76×10 5 M −1 s −1 for met-Mb and 3.74×10 5 M −1 s −1 for deoxy-Mb, are qualitatively similar, and thus little kinetic preference is predicted in physiological reactivity of HNO.
Shared Representations of Belief and Their Effects on Action Selection: A Preliminary Computational Cognitive Model

New evidence from cognitive development suggests that action selection is contingent not only on one’s own mental states (e.g. beliefs, etc.), but may also be affected by one’s representation of the beliefs of others (Kovacs et al. 2010). Herein, I propose a preliminary computational model accounting for the general pattern of results in the recent study by Kovacs et al. that is broadly simulation-theoretic in nature, and briefly discuss its implications for computational cognitive architecture.
Effect of Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers on Arterial Pressure and Vasoactivity in the Rat Mesentery

Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers provide a promising future as an alternative to human blood transfusions. Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, HBOCs, provide a lowcost, easy to maintain, and safe solution. They require no refrigeration and are universally compatible, and the required transfusion volume is less than that of a normal transfusion. HBOCs have been known to have adverse side effects such as renal toxicity, gastrointestinal dismotility, and hypertension. Many of these problems stem from the lack of a membrane, which protects the hemoglobin from dissociating and extravasating into the blood vessel wall. Extracellular hemoglobin, like that found in HBOCs, has a greater affinity for nitric oxide, NO, than oxygen due to the lack of a protective membrane like that of a red blood cell. This NO scavenging effect has been used to explain the increase in mean arterial pressure, MAP, as well as any other smooth muscle dysfunction. NO has been accepted as the endothelial derived relaxing factor which serves to dilate or maintain the vascular tone of the arterioles. It is theorized that the drop in NO due to scavenging by hemoglobin causes an increase in MAP. In this study, using the mesentery of rats as a model to observe the microcirculation, various doses of HBOC 201, HBOC 205 (MW 400), and HBOC 205 (MW 600) were infused into the rats. Measurements of MAP and arteriolar diameter were taken in response to increasing doses of each HBOC to establish a dose-response relationship. Chemicals such as sodium nitrite, NaNO2, and NwNitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, were used to chemically alter the levels of NO. The purpose was to see if modifying the levels of NO could alter the changes in MAP due to the HBOCs. MAP rose in response to the
Painting too “Rosie” a picture: The impact of external threat on women’s economic welfare:

Why is the economic status of women better in one country than another? We maintain that the answer lies in part in the extent of external threat to the homeland territory a country faces. To respo...
Context effects in impression formation as a function of context source

Context effects in impression formation were studied as a function of the source of contextual stimuli. Assimilation effects were obtained when contextual stimuli and test stimuli were attributed to the same target person. A weak tendency toward contrast effects was noted when contextual stimuli and test stimuli were attributed to separate individuals.
An assessment of the efficacy and peak catch rates of emergence tents for measuring bee nesting.

Premise of the study: Emergence tents are a new tool used to understand nesting ecology of ground nesting bee species. However, many questions remain about how to use tents effectively. We assessed (a) variance in tent capture rates over time, (b) the effects of site characteristics on proportion of tents capturing bees, and (c) the effect of soil characteristics on nest site choice. Methods: Emergence tents were placed out for one week in May, June, and August and checked daily. Soil, bee, and floral characteristics were recorded. Results: Across all sites and months the average number of tents capturing bees was less than 20% during one week of sampling, but this varied between sites. Tent captures decreased after 48 h deployment, but accumulation differed seasonally, with slower accumulation of total bees caught in May than in June or August. Although capture rates were not affected by bee or floral abundance, soil moisture beneath a tent influenced where bees were captured. Discussion: Effective use o...
Abstract 848: Netropsin blocks EMT of murine BRAF mutated melanoma cells

Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadliest type of skin cancer due to its high propensity to metastasize. Despite current progress in the identification of promising drugs for treating melanoma, drug resistance has emerged as a serious issue indicating that novel therapeutic strategies may be required. It is well documented that the process of converting the epithelial tumorigenic cell to a mesenchymal phenotype, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), is responsible for conferring an invasive phenotype to cancer cells. An EMT-like process has been shown to occur during melanoma progression. High-mobility-protein AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is a multi-function transcription factor linked to oncogenesis and EMT in a variety of cancers. HMGA2 is a small DNA-binding protein with three “AT-hook” DNA-binding motifs that specifically recognize the minor groove of AT-rich DNA sequences. HMGA2 is significantly upregulated in human primary melanoma and metastases, including those with BRAF mutations. We accessed the potential application of netropsin, a potent inhibitor of HMGA2-DNA interactions, as an EMT blocking agent of BRAF mutated melanoma cells. Three murine melanoma cells lines that carry mutations in the BRAF gene and show resistance to vemurafenib (D4M, YUMM1.1, and YUMM1.7) were used. Cells were treated with EMT Inducing Media Supplement along with Netropsin and the expression of E-cadherin as well as their migratory behavior were evaluated. Netropsin treatment of EMT induced cells was not cytotoxic, prevented changes in cell morphology, maintained high levels of E-cadherin expression and decreased migratory behavior. All three cell lines express HMGA2 which continues to be expressed in the tumors resulting from subcutaneous injections in mice. YUMM1.1 cells showed the highest levels of expression of HMGA2 amongst the three cell lines. Interestingly, in our preliminary study only YUMM1.1-derived tumors generated overt metastasis in the lung 30 days after the injections. Altogether our data showed that Netropsin is capable of blocking EMT of murine BRAF mutated melanoma cells. The results of this study will contribute to the development of strategies to prevent EMT that may result in the implementation of more effective therapies to treat melanoma. Citation Format: Juliano Freitas, Fenfei Leng, Lidia Kos. Netropsin blocks EMT of murine BRAF mutated melanoma cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 848. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-848
Cancer Protrusions on a Tightrope: Nanofiber Curvature Contrast Quantitates Single Protrusion Dynamics

Cell migration is studied with the traditional focus on protrusion-driven cell body displacement, while less is known on morphodynamics of individual protrusions themselves, especially in fibrous environments mimicking extracellular matrix. Here, using suspended fibers, we report integrative and multiscale abilities to study protrusive behavior independent of cell body migration. By manipulating the diameter of fibers in orthogonal directions, we constrain cell migration along large diameter (2 μm) base fibers, while solely allowing cells to sense, initiate, and mature protrusions on orthogonally deposited high-curvature/low diameter (∼100, 200, and 600 nm) protrusive fibers and low-curvature (∼300 and 600 nm width) protrusive flat ribbons. In doing so, we report a set of morphodynamic metrics that precisely quantitate protrusion dynamics. Protrusion growth and maturation occur by rapid broadening at the base to achieve long lengths, a behavior dramatically influenced by curvature. While flat ribbons univ...
An Exceptionally Close, Non-Bonded Hydrogen-Hydrogen Contact with Strong Through-Space Spin-Spin Coupling.

Condensation of 1,8,13-tris(mercaptomethyl)triptycene and tris(bromomethyl)methane yields an in,in-cyclophane with two inwardly directed methine groups. Based on X-ray analysis and DFT and MP2 calculations, the hydrogen-hydrogen non-bonded contact distance is estimated to be 1.50-1.53 A. Furthermore, the two in-hydrogen atoms show obvious spin-spin coupling with J=2.0 Hz.
Multihazard Risk-Based Resilience Analysis of East and West Coast Buildings Designed to Current Codes

AbstractResilience of buildings in the face of earthquakes and wind is not explicitly addressed by current building codes and standards, but the importance of a building’s ability to bounce back in...
On Combination of Hadamard-Encoded Multipulses and Multiplane Wave Transmission in Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging has great potential for use in many new ultrasound clinical applications. We recently proposed a novel CEUS imaging sequence, Hadamard-encoded multipulses (HEM), to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) as compared to other classic CEUS methods. HEM increases microbubble responses by using longer coded transmit pulses and the fast polarity change between coded pulses. In this study, we propose to combine the HEM pulse with multiplane wave (MW) imaging technique to further improve CEUS imaging SNR and contrast-to-noise ratio. During MW-HEM transmissions, the microbubbles undergo multiple fast pulse polarity changes, leading to significantly improved microbubble nonlinear responses, and thus further enhanced SNR and CTR as compared to HEM alone or other CEUS sequences. This improvement may facilitate more robust CEUS imaging for deep abdominal organs and the heart.
Computed Tomography Angiography and Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Carotids

The imaging modalities most often used to evaluate patients for cervical carotid stenosis are carotid duplex ultrasound, computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
Assessment of Interpersonal Relations: A Test Review

The Assessment of Interpersonal Relations (AIR) developed by Bracken (1993a) is designed to identify relationship difficulties with parents, peers, and teaching for children ages 9 to 19. Standardi...
Stop Sign and Stop Line Detection and Distance Calculation for Autonomous Vehicle Control

Environmental perception plays a crucial role in autonomous driving vehicle speed control. Autonomous vehicles must follow the traffic rules indicated in traffic sings. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for detection of stop sign and calculating the distance, which is an essential parameter in controlling the longitudinal velocity of an autonomous vehicle. As the vehicle moves closer to the stop sign, the stop sign falls out of the field of view of the camera, making it tough to bring the vehicle to stop at the desired distance from the sign. Hence, information on the position of stop line is essential to know where exactly to stop the vehicle. Stop sign detection is carried out using AdaBoost cascade classification based on three different feature types- Haar-like features, Local Binary Patterns (LBP) and Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG). The performance results of all the three classifiers are analyzed and compared to determine which one performs the best. To find the stop line a classic computer vision algorithm is proposed. The distance to stop sign and stop line is estimated in real time so that a decelerating torque can be applied accordingly to slow down the vehicle and eventually bring it to a complete standstill.
TIM1 (HAVCR1): an Essential "Receptor" or an "Accessory Attachment Factor" for Hepatitis A Virus?

In their recent report, Costafreda and Kaplan ([1][1]) claim that CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of TIM1 (also called HAVCR1) renders the GL37 clone of African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells resistant to infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV). They concluded that TIM1 “is required for infection” and is
Identity Development in an International Transracial Adoptive Family: A 5-Year Case Study

ABSTRACTOur case study focused on the adoptive identity development of two female Chinese adoptees over the course of five years (from when they were 7 and 9 until they were 12 and 14 years old, re...
Queer Theory and Translation Studies : Language, Politics, Desire

This groundbreaking book explores the relevance of queer theory to Translation Studies and of translation to Global Sexuality Studies. Beginning with a comprehensive overview of the origins and evolution of queer theory, this book places queer theory and Translation Studies in a productive and mutually interrogating relationship. After framing the discussion of actual and potential interfaces between queer sexuality and queer textuality, the chapters trace the transnational circulation of queer texts, focusing on the place of translation in "gay" anthologies, the packaging of queer life writing for global audiences, and the translation of lyric poetry as a distinct site of queer performativity. Baer analyzes fictional translators in literature and film, the treatment of translation in historical and ethnographic studies of sexual and linguistic others, the work of queer translators, and the reception of queer texts in translation. Including a range of case studies to exemplify key ethical issues relevant to all scholars of global sexuality and postcolonial studies, this book is essential reading for advanced students, scholars, and researchers in Translation Studies, gender and sexuality studies, and related areas.
Incorporation of a Novel CD4+ Helper Epitope Identified from Aquifex aeolicus Enhances Humoral Responses Induced by DNA and Protein Vaccinations

Summary CD4+ T cells play an important role in the maturation of the antibody responses. Conjugation of identified CD4+ T cell helper epitope to the target antigen has been developed as a strategy to enhance vaccine-induced humoral immunity. In this work, we reported the identification of a novel HLA-IAb helper epitope LS-3 from Aquifex aeolicus. In silico analysis predicted this epitope to have high binding affinity to common human HLA alleles and have complementary binding coverage to the established PADRE epitope. Introduction of HLA-IAb knockout mutations to the LS-3 epitope significantly attenuated humoral responses induced by a vaccine containing this epitope. Finally, engineered fusion of the epitope to a model antigen, influenza hemagglutinin, significantly improved both binding and hemagglutination inhibition antibody responses in mice receiving DNA or protein vaccines. In summary, LS-3 and additional identified CD4+ helper epitopes may be further explored to improve vaccine responses in translational studies.
Multi-Agent Task Allocation using Cross-Entropy Temporal Logic Optimization

In this paper, we propose a graph-based search method to optimally allocate tasks to a team of robots given a global task specification. In particular, we define these agents as discrete transition systems. In order to allocate tasks to the team of robots, we decompose finite linear temporal logic (LTL) specifications and consider agent specific cost functions. We propose to use the stochastic optimization technique, cross entropy, to optimize over this cost function. The multi-agent task allocation cross-entropy (MTAC-E) algorithm is developed to determine both when it is optimal to switch to a new agent to complete a task and minimize the costs associated with individual agent trajectories. The proposed algorithm is verified in simulation and experimental results are included.
An algebraic solution for determining overall rotational correlation times from cross-correlated relaxation rates

Summary An accurate rotational correlation time is critical for quantitative analysis of fast timescale NMR dynamics. As molecular weights increase, the classic derivation using transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates becomes increasingly unsuitable due to the non-trivial contribution of dipole-dipole and chemical exchange processes. Derivation using cross-correlated relaxation experiments, such as TRACT, overcome these limitations but are erroneously calculated in at approximately 50% of the citing literature. The goals of this study are to 1) investigate the potential sources of the error, 2) provide an algebraic solution, and 3) highlight that future inaccuracies can be minimized by requiring publication of sufficient raw data and computational routes for re-evaluation.
Unmethylated Regions Encompass The Functional Space Within The Maize Genome

Abstract Delineating the functional space within genomes has been a long-standing goal shared among geneticists, molecular biologists, and genome scientists. The genome of Zea mays (maize) has served as a model for locating functional elements within the gene-distal intergenic space. A recent development has been the discovery and use of accessible chromatin as a proxy for functional regulatory elements. However, the idea has recently arisen that DNA methylation data could supplement the use of accessible chromatin data for homing in on regulatory regions. Here, I test the robustness of using DNA methylation as a proxy for functional space. I find that CHG methylation can be non-arbitrarily partitioned into hypo-methylated and hyper-methylated regions. Hypo-methylated CHG regions are stable across development and contain nearly all accessible chromatin. Note: changes that will be made in version 2: expand introduction; expand discussion; add additional analyses; expand methods; link to github scripts.
"In the Bible Belt:" The role of religion in HIV care and prevention for transgender people in the United States South.

Abstract Within the United States South, the socio-religious norms that shape life for many residents may have public health implications. Drawing from 12 key informant interviews, this study explores the role of religious institutions in HIV care and prevention access among transgender people of color in Southern cities. Findings suggest that while religious anti-transgender stigma is pervasive, the regional importance of faith-based beliefs and institutions necessitates targeted faith-based initiatives for the population. Broadly, findings suggest regional environments may demand interventions that negotiate historically marginalizing relationships between at-risk groups and dominant cultural institutions.
The Significance of the Oromo Diaspora in Europe for the Beginning of Oromo Studies in the 1840s

The spread and expansion of the slave trade in Northeast Africa and the Red Sea Region in the first half of the nineteenth century brought some Oromo speaking captives to the slave markets in Arabia, Sudan and Egypt. Many of these captives apparently stayed in the region, but a few were picked up by travelers and taken to Europe where their personal stories sparked huge curiosity and sensation among theirs hosts. Members of the European national academies and missionary societies took advantage of the presence of the Oromo in Europe to explore more about Northeast Africa. In some cases, the collaboration between former African captives and European scholars and missionaries produced fruitful results that laid the foundation for the studies of African peoples. A few of the former captives also gained literacy that enabled them to correspond with each other in their own languages. This paper highlights the significance of a small Oromo group in Europe in the 1840s for the beginning of Oromo studies in diaspora. The former captives provided invaluable information to French and German scholars who collected and analyzed the data to understand more about the Oromo language, culture and religion. The collaboration between the Oromo in diaspora and European scholars and missionaries immediately led to publications in Europe, and even in the United States, which now serve as resources for Oromo Studies.
The essential roles of human adipose tissue: Metabolic, thermoregulatory, cellular, and paracrine effects

Abstract Introduction Over the past decade, human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/signaling/stromal cell (ADSC) therapies have become increasingly popular as a biologic treatment for a variety of orthopedic conditions. ADSCs represent a source of stromal cells with biologic properties that allow for paracrine and immunomodulatory functions and the ability to differentiate into various downstream cellular tissues. Before considering the use of adipose tissue as a cellular source, it is imperative to understand its anatomy and physiology and its roles in the human body. Objectives To review the current literature regarding the anatomy, physiology, and various roles of human adipose tissue, as well as harvesting techniques and its role in biologic therapy. Methods A comprehensive literature review that included searches of PubMed, medline, EMBASE, and Google Scholar database(s), including both preclinical and clinical studies, was performed. Results This manuscript represents an updated understanding of adipose tissue, including its anatomy, functions in the human body, and role as a perivascular cellular source for tissue renewal, in addition to its role in providing cushioning and support to various structures. Conclusion Adipose tissue is widespread throughout the body and serves multiple physiologic functions. It can be harvested through several techniques and is an abundant source of bioactive molecules and ADSCs. Research in orthopedic surgery has begun using adipose tissue as a source of homologous and non-homologous cell and tissue applications. Future study will continue to investigate optimal sources of adipose-derived cells and tissues, and its therapeutic applications in orthopedics.
Field Report: Autism Partnership

“Teachers can’t just implement a protocol,” remarks Justin Leaf, Ph.D BCBA-D, Director of Research at Autism Partnership. “They need to be able to make an in-the-moment assessment of the learner and use their assessment, along with clinical judgment, to adapt instruction ‘on the fly.’” Leaf adds, “The child’s behavior should likewise shape the teacher’s behavior. This is what ABA [applied behavior analysis] is all about.”
Commentary on. Post De, The hyponisis of Adolf Hitler. J Forensic Sci 1998 Nov;43(6):1127–1132.

Commentary on. Post De, The hyponisis of Adolf Hitler. J Forensic Sci 1998 Nov;43(6):1127–1132.
Approaches for Assessing Loss and Damage

Avoidable loss and damage (L and D) through mitigation and adaptation actions is normally related to both short-term aspects of reducing adverse effects, especially disasters. Mitigation reduces the concentration of GHGs and thus contributes to the reduced potential for climate change and takes a few decades to realize the effects. CCA activities, depending on the scope and scale of relevant activities, cater to reduction of potential impacts of climate change.
IL-12 enhances CTL synapse formation and induces self-reactivity.

Immunological synapse formation between T cells and target cells can affect the functional outcome of TCR ligation by a given MHC-peptide complex. Although synapse formation is usually induced by TCR signaling, it is not clear whether other factors can affect the efficiency of synapse formation. Here, we tested whether cytokines could influence synapse formation between murine CTLs and target cells. We found that IL-12 enhanced synapse formation, whereas TGFβ decreased synapse formation. The enhanced synapse formation induced by IL-12 appeared to be functional, given that IL-12-treated cells could respond to weak peptides, including self-peptides, to which the T cells were normally unresponsive. These responses correlated with expression of functionally higher avidity LFA-1 on IL-12-treated CTLs. These findings have implications for the function of IL-12 in T cell-mediated autoimmunity.
Life‐style orientation of rural US and Canadian consumers: Are regio‐centric standardized marketing strategies feasible?

Purpose – In view of the existing void in the current international and cross‐national/cultural marketing literature, the purpose of this paper is to look into the similarities and differences of life‐style orientations prevalent among US and Canadian consumers. The AIO (Activities, Interest, and Opinions) and VALS (Values, Attitudes, and Life‐Styles) statements adapted from the current cross‐cultural marketing literature were utilized to determine different US and Canadian consumer market segments. The research tools and techniques used in this study help retail businesses as well as manufacturing companies of the two countries to develop and execute more effective target marketing strategies.Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered in two different locations. First, in Brandon, Canada and second, in the rural part of south central Pennsylvania (York and Lancaster counties). Both regions are similar...
Ability of gonococcal and meningococcal lipooligosaccharides to clot Limulus amebocyte lysate.

Abstract We investigated whether the striking difference in severity of coagulopathy observed between bacterial sepsis involving Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae species is related to species-dependent abilities to directly activate coagulation. Using lipooligosaccharide (LOS)-activated gelation of Limulus amebocyte lysate, we compared the relative abilities of outer membrane LOS of 10 N. meningitidis and 10 N. gonorrhoeae strains to initiate coagulation. A wide range of procoagulant potencies was observed for each species, and there was significant overlap of potencies between species. Relative biological activities did not correlate with the oligosaccharide components as defined by LOS molecular weight or specific antigenic epitopes. Purified lipid A of two LOS strains of different potency demonstrated relative procoagulant biological activities similar to those of their parent LOSs. When these lipid A preparations were further separated by thin-layer chromatography, the most polar component of each lipid A possessed the majority of the procoagulant activity. We concluded that the ability of neisserial LOS to initiate coagulation of Limulus lysate is a property of the lipid A portion of the molecule and is most likely determined by fine structural differences in the lipid A which are independent of species.
Evolution of Bacillus anthracis, Causative Agent of Anthrax

Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, primarily a disease of herbivores but also a serious threat to humans when introduced into their environment by natural or nefarious means. The anthrax toxin complex is separated into three protein components called edema factor (EF), lethal factor (LF), and protective antigen (PA). It is clear that the classical anthrax-associated strains are monophyletic and that their global distribution is due to a clonal expansion. Important anthrax virulence factors are likely to have evolved before this phylogenetic bifurcation and are thus found in non-B. anthracis strains, some of which are even associated with severe pathological conditions. B. cereus sensu lato contains numerous pathogenic types whose attributes are controlled or greatly modified by virulence genes on large plasmids. The monophyletic population structure of B. anthracis sensu stricto contains at least three major and multiple minor clonal genetic divisions, estimated by several different molecular genetic methods that largely agree. Full virulence of B. anthracis and the manifestation of anthrax requires both capsule production, pXO2, and the tripartite toxin on pXO1. The pleiotropic effects of the plcR inactivation result in numerous phenotypic deficiencies that would impair strains from existing opportunistic pathogens in the environment.
Emerging concepts in security design

In the past decade people from a variety of backgrounds have worked together in the field of security design. Out of this outpouring of research has come many useful ideas and experiments. However, there have also been problems connected with this. There is, forexample, no clear terminology that can be used across various fields. It is necessary that we begin to develop some common terminology, including standard definitions for certain concepts. The field could benefit from a comprehensive text. Such a text would begin with a discussion of crime and its relationship to urban design. It would then consider the techniques of target hardening, social factors, the relationship of law enforcement and private security, and various environmental design measures. In essence, it would proceed from an analysis of the problem to the various design solutions ranging from the simple to the complex and the consequences of those solutions. The present symposium, as a review of the state of the art in building security, is a step in that direction.
Computer persona: a user interaction architecture for mobile environments

We propose a user interaction architecture, which allows users to treat a set of computer-like devices as a single computer persona. The computer persona covers a static set of devices (called the permanent range) but it can also dynamically extend to or leave rented or disposable devices (the temporary range). We identify three major challenges in the implementation of a computer persona: (a) the control and coordination problem, (b) the state handoff problem, and (c) the data staging problem. We discuss these challenges in detail and propose several solutions for each of them. We also present a heuristic based algorithm for the data staging mechanism.
PLANNING AND OPTIMIZATION OF PARALLEL LANE SURVEYS

One of the most important factors affecting the success of an oceanographic survey operation is the careful planning and execution of a systematic survey plan. The features of this plan are based on numerous considerations, including platform sensor capabilities, navigation capabilities, the nature of the target or bottom, environmental conditions, operating resources, and operational limitations. Although many of these factors are unique to each individual operation, the goal of obtaining adequate sensor coverage should be a common element of every plan. This paper addresses the factors affecting sensor coverage in parallel lane surveys, and offers a technique for optimizing survey plan parameters to accomplish sensor coverage goals most efficiently.
Spinach thioredoxin m inhibits DNA synthesis in fertilized Xenopus eggs.

Abstract A role for thioredoxin in metazoan DNA synthesis has been assessed by injecting rapidly dividing Xenopus eggs with purified heterologous thioredoxins, which might act as inhibitors if they were to replace resident thioredoxins in some but not all reaction steps. Of 10 tested proteins, spinach chloroplast thioredoxin m is the most potent inhibitor. Eggs cleave and produce cells lacking nuclei. DNA synthesis is severely reduced. Development arrests before gastrulation. In egg extracts, thioredoxin m inhibits incorporation of radioactive dCTP into DNA of sperm nuclei and M13 phage. Inhibition exceeds 90% when thioredoxin m and M13 DNA are preincubated together. The data support the interpretation that thioredoxins normally participate in initiation of metazoan DNA synthesis.
A method for studying the generalized slowing hypothesis in children with specific language impairment.

The present work was conducted to demonstrate a method that could be used to assess the hypothesis that children with specific language impairment (SLI) often respond more slowly than unimpaired ch...
Purification and properties of two different α1-protease inhibitors from mouse plasma

Abstract Two similar but distinct forms of α1-protease inhibitor (α1-PI) have been isolated and purified 120-fold to homogeneity from the plasma of female, white Swiss (Ha/ICR) mice. The two inhibitors can be separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose using a shallow NaCl gradient at pH 8.9 for elution. Because of their differing specificities for elastase and trypsin we have labeled the two inhibitors α1-PI(E) and α1-PI(T), respectively. The apparent M r for both proteins, as estimated by gel exclusion chromatography, is approximately 53,000 daltons. However by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS, α1-PI(T) has an apparent m r of 65,000 while the apparent m r of α1-PI(E) is 55,000. These results suggest differences in charge and carbohydrate composition. The two mouse inhibitors also have different AT-terminal amino acids. Like human α1-PI the mouse inhibitors form stable complexes with proteases. However they differed from human α1-PI in that they were not found to neutralize either human thrombin or plasmin. While α1-PI(E) inhibits bovine pancreatic trypsin, chymotrypsin, and porcine pancreatic elastase, α1-PI(T) is an effective inhibitor only of trypsin. Plasma levels of α1-PI(E) increase significantly 24 h after stimulation of the acute phase reaction while those of α1-PI(T) do not. Our data suggest that α1-PI(E) and α1-PI(T) are products of different genes.
Effects of personal taxes and equity issuing costs on the firm's investment decision

Abstract The existence of preferential taxes on capital gains relative to ordinary income is widely understood to create a systematic preference for internal rather than external equity financing. This preference is magnified by the existence of issuing costs on new equity. This paper develops a procedure to account for these market imperfections in terms of an adjusted net present value that directly adjusts a project's net present value calculated without regard to the imperfections. Once the correct adjustment procedure is developed, the practical implications of personal taxes and issuing costs on the firm's investment behavior clearly emerges. These market imperfections have created a discontinuous function for the firm in obtaining equity capital. Many rational wealth-maximizing firms are forced to make investment decisions in a situation similar to capital rationing as the separation theorem between investing and financing does not generally hold. This explanation of a potentially long-run need for capital rationing is consistent with otherwise perfect capital markets.
Does willingness to pay for green energy differ by source

Abstract We present the findings of a choice experiment designed to estimate consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for voluntary participation in green energy electricity programs. Our model estimates WTP for a generic “green energy” source and compares it to WTP for green energy from specific sources, including wind, solar, farm methane, and biomass. Our results show that there exists a positive WTP for green energy electricity. Further, individuals have a preference for solar over a generic green and wind. Biomass and farm methane are found to be the least preferred sources.
Passenger grouping with risk levels in an airport security system

Abstract This is a follow-up to the recent paper by Lazar Babu et al. [V.L. Lazar Babu, R. Batta, L. Lin, Passenger grouping under constant threat probability in an airport security system, European Journal of Operational Research 168 (2006) 633–644] which investigated the benefit of classifying passengers into different groups, with the idea that the number of checks and the degree of inspection may vary for different groups. A basic assumption in that paper was that the threat probability is constant across all passengers. In this paper, we relax this assumption and consider the case where passenger risk levels are incorporated. We assume that passengers are classified into several risk classes via some passenger prescreening system, for example, Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System II (CAPPS II). We consider the separate grouping of every class of passengers such that the overall false alarm probability is minimized while maintaining the overall false clear probability within specifications set by a security authority. Meanwhile, we consider the staffing needs at each check station. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear program. An illustrative example of the model is presented with comparisons to the model in Lazar Babu et al. (2006) using two performance measures: probability of false alarm and total number of screeners needed. Our conclusion is that incorporation of risk levels through passenger grouping strategies leads to a more efficient security check system.
Overall A-optimal balanced incomplete block designs

Abstract A necessary and sufficient condition is given to determine overall A-optimality between a balanced incomplete block design and its complementary design. The overall A-optimal balanced incomplete block design for a given number of treatments is determined. These characterizations are provided through simple arithmetical conditions on the parameters of the design.
PHEX Mimetic (SPR4-Peptide) Corrects and Improves HYP and Wild Type Mice Energy-Metabolism

Context PHEX or DMP1 mutations cause hypophosphatemic-rickets and altered energy metabolism. PHEX binds to DMP1-ASARM-motif to form a complex with α5β3 integrin that suppresses FGF23 expression. ASARM-peptides increase FGF23 by disrupting the PHEX-DMP1-Integrin complex. We used a 4.2 kDa peptide (SPR4) that binds to ASARM-peptide/motif to study the DMP1-PHEX interaction and to assess SPR4 for the treatment of energy metabolism defects in HYP and potentially other bone-mineral disorders. Design Subcutaneously transplanted osmotic pumps were used to infuse SPR4-peptide or vehicle (VE) into wild-type mice (WT) and HYP-mice (PHEX mutation) for 4 weeks. Results SPR4 partially corrected HYP mice hypophosphatemia and increased serum 1.25(OH)2D3. Serum FGF23 remained high and PTH was unaffected. WT-SPR4 mice developed hypophosphatemia and hypercalcemia with increased PTH, FGF23 and 1.25(OH)2D3. SPR4 increased GAPDH HYP-bone expression 60× and corrected HYP-mice hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia. HYP-VE serum uric-acid (UA) levels were reduced and SPR4 infusion suppressed UA levels in WT-mice but not HYP-mice. SPR4 altered leptin, adiponectin, and sympathetic-tone and increased the fat mass/weight ratio for HYP and WT mice. Expression of perlipin-2 a gene involved in obesity was reduced in HYP-VE and WT-SPR4 mice but increased in HYP-SPR4 mice. Also, increased expression of two genes that inhibit insulin-signaling, ENPP1 and ESP, occurred with HYP-VE mice. In contrast, SPR4 reduced expression of both ENPP1 and ESP in WT mice and suppressed ENPP1 in HYP mice. Increased expression of FAM20C and sclerostin occurred with HYP-VE mice. SPR4 suppressed expression of FAM20C and sclerostin in HYP and WT mice. Conclusions ASARM peptides and motifs are physiological substrates for PHEX and modulate osteocyte PHEX-DMP1-α5β3-integrin interactions and thereby FGF23 expression. These interactions also provide a nexus that regulates bone and energy metabolism. SPR4 suppression of sclerostin and/or sequestration of ASARM-peptides improves energy metabolism and may have utility for treating familial rickets, osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes.
KASHMIR SHAWLS IN MID-VICTORIAN NOVELS

WHEN CLOTH OR CLOTHING made for a specific purpose in one cultural context begins to be produced as a commodity and is appropriated as fashion by a different culture, meanings reverberate on both sides of the transaction. The commercial traffic with India in the nineteenth century brought many such commodities into the homes of the English middle class. Some of these items, and particularly textiles, led a double life, functioning at once as exotic foreign artifacts and as markers of proper Englishness. If mid-Victorian novels may be said to have assisted in circulating and crystallizing, rather than merely reflecting, social norms among their readers, then the regularity with which certain Indian textiles and especially shawls reappear in these novels bespeaks their burgeoning importance both commercially and ideologically.
Strategies and Tactics for Synthesis Inspired by Complex Alkaloids

Speech Natural products continue to provide intricate problems that challenge us to make advances in the strategies and methods that are utilized in their chemical syntheses. Several strategies and methods that have been applied to the syntheses of diterpenoid and indole alkaloids will be discussed. REFERENCES 1 Hamlin, A. M.; Cortez, F. de J.; Lapointe, D. Sarpong, R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 4854. 2 Lebold, T. P.; Wood, J. L.; Deitch, J.; Lodewyck, M. W.; Tantillo, D. J.; Sarpong, R. Nature Chem. 2013, 5, 126.
A Rule based static configuration validation technique in an Autonomous Distributed Environment

In a heterogeneous and complex distributed systems environment, (e.g. business integration), many software systems interchange information, each system stores environment information configuration files. At any given point of time, the interactions are based on these configurations only. Every time a system boots up it validates its own configuration. Whenever there is a failure of a component or its offline without updating, it may lose out on the current context of the environment (changes in the configuration of other systems). E.g. : DHCP induced IP/port change or a queue name change. Restarting the system without these updates may lead to several problems like erroneous/inconsistent output or failure of the component it selves. To prevent such errors we look in to building autonomy in to such systems by configuration validation. A rule based technique was devised (for individual components in a typical business integration subsystem). To Adapt to such a continuously changing environment (e.g. and to build autonomy (self-configure /self-protect/ self-correct). The rules are run either before restart of a component and whenever the administrator feels such a need arises (E.g: when a dependent enterprise system is restarted). These rules are either discovered from failure scenarios induced by configuration/dependent third- party errors or directly from rules used for monitoring various components at runtime. The rules primary check the third- party/dependency configurations, data interchange formats, enterprise data store connection parameters and software usage links. The recommended storage format is XML. An optional action tag can be utilized to perform corrective actions once a configuration error is discovered. There are options to specify the path of a operating system script or a Java class implementing a pre-defined interface. In a test environment these rules were executed by a static analyzer tool. It discovered 30% of potential fatal errors (leading to business down situations) and 82% of config based errors. Also these rule formats are reusable across systems and domain specific /standard based rules are interchangeable for similar software products e.g. FTP/email related rules. Also rules can be discovered from log/trace files for specific configuration errors.