cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Law, Politics, and the Appointments Process

In recent years, many commentators have called for the "depoliticization" of the judicial appointments process, arguing that politics and ideology have wrongly displaced objective merit in the selection of federal judges. In their book, Advice and Consent: The Politics of Judicial Appointments, Lee Epstein and Jeffrey Segal demonstrate why such prescriptions are misguided. Epstein and Segal are political scientists, not law professors, and thus have no normative stake in protecting constitutional law from politics, the preoccupation of many constitutional theorists. Instead, their aim is purely positive: to explain how the appointments process has actually functioned over the course of the nation's history. And their conclusions are straightforward: presidents pursue political objectives in making judicial nominations, especially nominations to the Supreme Court; senators pursue political objectives in providing their advice and consent, especially for nominations to the Supreme Court; and judges pursue political objectives in deciding cases, especially at the Supreme Court, thus giving presidents and senators good reason to focus on a nominee's ideology during the appointments process. And it has always been this way. After describing Epstein and Segal's analysis, this book review briefly discusses some of its implications. Because the objective sources of constitutional law are too indeterminate to dictate objectively correct results, the personal values of judges will always influence their decisions, and elected officials will thus have a strong incentive to vindicate their policy goals through judicial selection. Calls to minimize the influence of politics are futile, and perhaps even incoherent. More fundamentally, it is unclear why reducing the political accountability of the process would be desirable. An important justification for the Court's exercise of political power is that the justices are appointed by officials who are themselves democratically accountable. But there is a significant problem with the present system: one presidential election (or set of senatorial elections) can count much more heavily than others. It might therefore be sensible to eliminate some of this serendipity, so that the Court's ideology better reflected the electorate's periodic judgments.
The Opportunity for Ethnic Terrorism: Leadership Vacuum and Abetment in Political Space

What explains large-scale terrorist violence among some ethnic groups but not others? In the post-9/11 era, terrorism research has focused extensively on understanding the causes and implications of the global jihadist movement, including al Qaeda, its affiliates, and other groups that take their inspiration from Islamist doctrine. Such research is timely but examination of terrorist organizations acting to advance the interests and goals of ethnic groups has waned in recent years even though ethnic terrorism continues well into the twenty-first century. This paper pulls concepts from the ethnic conflict and terrorism literature to develop a framework centered on opportunity structures in order to explicate the rise of ethnic terrorism. It tests this framework with comparisons of positive and negative cases within multiethnic countries. Specifically, the Tamils and Muslims in Sri Lanka and the Basques and Catalans in Spain are compared to determine why terrorism has plagued the Tamil and Basque communities but not the Muslim and Catalan groups, even though these within-state groups face similar conditions. Results show that a vacuum in political leadership or assistance by leaders in the ethno-political space embodies an opportunity for ethnic terrorism. Groups in which nationalist leaders forfeit their positions in the ethnic space or outright support terrorist actors encounter large-scale terrorist violence, while groups in which ethno-political actors neither surrender nor sponsor terrorism do not. Once the occasion surfaces, ethnic terrorist organizations rise to dominance and become a formidable threat to states and host ethnic communities.
Abstract TP171: Liver Cirrhosis is Associated With an Increased Risk of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Introduction: Cirrhosis has been associated with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Additionally, cirrhosis appears to contribute to the development of pulmonary vascular abnormalities. W...
Large-scale neuron cell classification of single-channel and multi-channel extracellularrecordings in the anterior lateral motor cortex

Identification of neuron cell type helps us connect neural circuitry and behavior; greater specificity in cell type and subtype classification provides a clearer picture of specific relationships between the brain and behavior. With the advent of high-density probes, large-scale neuron classification is needed, as typical extracellular recordings are identity-blind to the neurons they record. Current methods for identification of neurons include optogenetic tagging and intracellular recordings, but are limited in that they are expensive, time-consuming, and have a limited scope. Therefore, a more automated, real-time method is needed for large-scale neuron identification. Data from two recordings was incorporated into this research; the single-channel recording included data from three neuron types in the motor cortex: FS, IT, and PT neurons. The multichannel recording contained data from two neuron subtypes: PT_L and PT_U neurons. This allowed for an examination of both general neuron classification and more specific subtype classification, which was done via artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. For the single-channel neuron classification, the ANNs achieved 91% accuracy, while the ML algorithms achieved 98% accuracy, using the raw electrical waveform. The multi-channel classification, which was significantly more difficult due to the similarity between the neuron types, yielded an ineffective ANN, reaching 68% accuracy, while the ML algorithms reached 81% using 8 calculated features from the waveform. Thus, to distinguish between differentneuron cell types and subtypes in the motor cortex, both ANNs andspecific ML algorithms can facilitate rapid and accurate near realtime large-scale classification.
Removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances using super-fine powder activated carbon and ceramic membrane filtration.

Abstract Contamination of drinking water sources with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is a major challenge for environmental engineers. While granular activated carbon (GAC) is an effective adsorbent-based treatment technology for long-chained PFASs, GAC is less effective for removal of short-chained compounds, necessitating a more complete treatment strategy. Super-fine powder activated carbon (SPAC; particle diameter
Injury to hypothalamic Sim1 neurons is a common feature of obesity by exposure to high-fat diet in male and female mice.

The hypothalamus is essential for regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism. Feeding hypercaloric, high-fat (HF) diet induces hypothalamic arcuate nucleus injury and alters metabolism more severely in male than in female mice. The site(s) and extent of hypothalamic injury in male and female mice are not completely understood. In the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, single-minded family basic helix-loop helix transcription factor 1 (Sim1) neurons are essential to control energy homeostasis. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to HF diet induces injury to Sim1 neurons in the PVN of male and female mice. Mice expressing membrane-bound enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) in Sim1 neurons (Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP mice) were generated to visualize the effects of exposure to HF diet on these neurons. Male and female Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP mice exposed to HF diet had increased weight, hyperleptinemia, and developed hepatosteatosis. In male and female mice exposed to HF diet, expression of mEGFP was reduced by > 40% in Sim1 neurons of the PVN, an effect paralleled by cell apoptosis and neuronal loss, but not by microgliosis. In the arcuate nucleus of the Sim1-Cre:Rosa-mEGFP male mice, there was decreased alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in proopiomelanocortin neurons projecting to the PVN, with increased cell apoptosis, neuronal loss, and microgliosis. These defects were undetectable in the arcuate nucleus of female mice exposed to the HF diet. Thus, injury to Sim1 neurons of the PVN is a shared feature of exposure to HF diet in mice of both sexes, while injury to proopiomelanocortin neurons in arcuate nucleus is specific to male mice. OPEN SCIENCE BADGES: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.
Abstract WP79: Combination of Tmax and Relative CBV Perfusion Parameters More Accurately Predicts CTA Collaterals Than a Single Perfusion Parameter in DEFUSE 3

Introduction: Perfusion abnormalities that have been associated with collateral status include the hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR) and reduction of cerebral blood volume within the ischemic les...
A Low-Profile Wideband Connected Dipole Array with Compact Balun and Power Divider

Microstrip patch antennas are typically used in low- profile array designs. Nevertheless, the bandwidth is usually less than 10% unless special loading and/or feed coupling techniques are used. In this paper, we propose a low-profile (0.09 λ low ), wideband connected dipole array, operating at a center frequency of 200 MHz. The array consists of 10 × 20 electrically short (0.08 λ low ) dipole elements, forming a 2.3 m × 2.3 m aperture. The dipole elements are fed in pair using a combination of a tapered microstrip balun and a power divider. Within a small area, the 50 Ω unbalanced coaxial input is matched to two 200 Ω broadside coupled strip lines. The design reduces the profile and avoids the use of narrow 200 Ω microstrip lines. Simulation results show that the antenna array has a 32% bandwidth. As a comparison, a center-fed patch array with the same profile using air substrate would only have a bandwidth of less than 20%.
Type 10: Sexual Exploitation in Joint School Police and Community-Sponsored Programs

Police sexual abuse of women includes a disturbing pattern of police officer exploitation of teenage girls. The majority of these cases, moreover, involve girls enrolled in police-sponsored Explorer programs designed to give teens an understanding of police work.
Anthropogenic Light Disrupts Natural Light Cycles in Critical Conservation Areas

Anthropogenic lighting drastically alters nocturnal environments, threatening a wide range of species by disrupting light regimes that regulate fundamental biological processes such as reproduction, foraging, and predator defense. We translate satellite measures of anthropogenic light radiating from the earth to a biologically relevant measurement – the amount of light scattered back to the earth (horizontal illuminance). Anthropogenic light exceeding the natural level produced by stars, galactic light, and airglow on a clear moonless night (i.e., new moon conditions) affects 22.9% of the Earth’s terrestrial surface, as well as 51.0% of Key Biodiversity Area units, 77.1% of Global Protected Area units, and approximately 20% of the most biodiverse areas for mammals, birds, and amphibians. Thus, due to anthropogenic sources, these environments experience at least double the levels of natural illuminance during half of the night hours in a year. To facilitate biological interpretation of these levels of anthropogenic illuminance observed globally, we undertook a systematic literature review of animal responses to changing nocturnal light levels. Known biological effects from the current anthropogenic illuminance levels range from behavioral and physiological alterations to increased mortality, which have been documented in 117 species from 23 orders and 8 classes. These findings provide a biological perspective on global light pollution, and they identify regions where reductions in anthropogenic illuminance would yield the greatest benefits for conserving biodiversity.
Impulsive time-free transfers between halo orbits

A methodology is developed to design optimal time-free impulsive transfers between three-dimensional halo orbits in the vicinity of the interior L 1 libration point of the Sun-Earth/Moon barycenter system. The transfer trajectories are optimal in the sense that the total characteristic velocity required to implement the transfer exhibits a local minimum. Criteria are established whereby the implementation of a coast in the initial orbit, a coast in the final orbit, or dual coasts accomplishes a reduction in fuel expenditure. The optimality of a reference two-impulse transfer can be determined by examining the slope at the endpoints of a plot of the magnitude of the primer vector on the reference trajectory. If the initial and final slopes of the primer magnitude are zero, the transfer trajectory is optimal; otherwise, the execution of coasts is warranted. The optimal time of flight on the time-free transfer, and consequently, the departure and arrival locations on the halo orbits are determined by the unconstrained minimization of a function of two variables using a multivariable search technique. Results indicate that the cost can be substantially diminished by the allowance for coasts in the initial and final libration-point orbits.
Purchasing’s Role as an Influencer of Business Outcomes

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the leader of the Allied Forces in World War II, once said that “the art of motivation is getting people to do what you want them to do because they want to do it.”
COVID-19 and Pretrial Detention

Major crises like the ongoing and future one connected to the SARS-CoV-2 virus have a way of exposing current public-policy approaches as being woefully ineffic
Coding transcriptome analyses reveal altered functions underlying immunotolerance of PEG-fused rat sciatic nerve allografts

Current methods to repair ablation-type peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) using peripheral nerve allografts (PNAs) often result in poor functional recovery due to immunological rejection as well as to slow and inaccurate outgrowth of regenerating axonal sprouts. In contrast, ablation-type PNIs repaired by PNAs, using a multistep protocol in which one step employs the membrane fusogen polyethylene glycol (PEG), permanently restore sciatic-mediated behaviors within weeks. Axons and cells within PEG-fused PNAs remain viable, even though outbred host and donor tissues are neither immunosuppressed nor tissue matched. PEG-fused PNAs exhibit significantly reduced T cell and macrophage infiltration, expression of major histocompatibility complex I/II and consistently low apoptosis. In this study, we analyzed the coding transcriptome of PEG-fused PNAs to examine possible mechanisms underlying immunosuppression. Ablation-type sciatic PNIs in adult Sprague-Dawley rats were repaired using PNAs and a PEG-fusion protocol combined with neurorrhaphy. Electrophysiological and behavioral tests confirmed successful PEG-fusion of PNAs. RNA sequencing analyzed differential expression profiles of protein-coding genes between PEG-fused PNAs and negative control PNAs (not treated with PEG) at 14 days PO, along with unoperated control nerves. Sequencing results were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR), and in some cases, immunohistochemistry. PEG-fused PNAs display significant downregulation of many gene transcripts associated with innate and adaptive allorejection responses. Schwann cell-associated transcripts are often upregulated, and cellular processes such as extracellular matrix remodeling and cell/tissue development are particularly enriched. Transcripts encoding several potentially immunosuppressive proteins (e.g., thrombospondins 1 and 2) also are upregulated in PEG-fused PNAs. This study is the first to characterize the coding transcriptome of PEG-fused PNAs and to identify possible links between alterations of the extracellular matrix and suppression of the allorejection response. The results establish an initial molecular basis to understand mechanisms underlying PEG-mediated immunosuppression.
Phenotypic and genomic relationships between vulva score categories and reproductive performance in first-parity sows

One of the biggest challenges in the swine industry is to increase female reproductive efficiency. Recently, vulva score categories (VSC), assessed prior to puberty, has been proposed as an indicator trait of efficient reproductive performance in sows. The objective of this study was to validate the use of VSC as an indicator trait for reproductive performance, and to perform genetic and genomic analyses for VSC. The phenotypic relationship of VSC, using a three-point scale: small (VSC-S), medium (VSC-M), and large (VSC-L), on reproductive performance was evaluated on three farms. VSC was measured at 15 weeks of age, for farms 1 and 2, and at 14 weeks of age for farm 3 on 3981 Yorkshire gilts, in which 1083 had genotypes (~ 50 K SNPs). Genetic parameters for VSC with reproductive traits were estimated using ssGBLUP. A Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for VSC was performed using BayesB. For the phenotypic analysis of VSC across datasets, differences in performance were identified there was a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) for the interaction between Farm and VSC for total number dead (TND), and a trend (P < 0.10) for total number born (TNB). There were significant (P ≤ 0.05) pre-defined contrasts of VSC-S versus VSC-M + L on TNB, number born alive (NBA), TND, number of stillborn (NSB), and number of mummies (MUM). Heritability estimates for VSC as a categorical trait (VSCc) and a quantitative trait (VSCq) were 0.40 ± 0.02 and 0.83 ± 0.02, respectively, for across farm, 0.13 ± 0.07 and 0.20 ± 0.10, respectively, for Farm1, 0.07 ± 0.07 and 0.09 ± 0.09, respectively, for Farm2, and 0.20 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.05, respectively, for Farm3. For across farms, favorable genetic correlations estimates were found for TNB (0.28 ± 0.19) and NBA (0.26 ± 0.17). Within farms, moderate genetic correlations between VSC with reproductive traits were found for TNB (0.61 ± 0.47) and MUM (0.69 ± 0.47) for farm 1, for number of services until first farrow (NS; 0.69 ± 0.38) and unique service with successful first farrow (SFS; − 0.71 ± 0.38) for farm 3. Multiple genomic regions associated with VSCc were identified. Of these, a QTL located on chromosome 3 at 33–34 Mb accounted for about 7.1% of the genetic variance for VSCc and VSCq. This region harbors the gene PRM1 that has been associated with early embryonic development in pigs. The results support potential of VSC for improved reproductive efficiency on first-parity performance, but the results might depend on the interaction between environmental factors and VSC, as well as potentially additive genetics.
Assumption of Risk in Consumer Contracts and the Distraction of Unconscionability

For years, courts have struggled to determine when to enforce exculpatory clauses that would prevent personal injury victims from availing themselves of tort remedies under the doctrine of express assumption of risk. In the past, when courts declined to enforce these clauses, they did so on the ground that enforcing such a waiver for the activities in question was “against public policy.” Recently, however, many courts have addressed the issue through the contract doctrine of “unconscionability.” This change in focus has subtly but importantly altered the enforceability inquiry by emphasizing the conditions under which the plaintiff agreed to the contract, rather than broader policy considerations concerning regulation of defendants’ activities. In doing so, this shift has increased, rather than diminished, the tortfeasor’s chance of escaping liability. As a result, today, risk-generating, repeat-player defendants are increasingly able to avoid responsibility for negligently causing injuries by pointing to boilerplate consumer releases of liability. This article argues that unconscionability doctrine should be kept out of the law of express assumption of risk – that its importation into tort law is wrong both as a matter of doctrinal analysis and as a matter of policy. It asserts that courts should instead focus on the regulatory role that tort law plays in helping to ensure and promote the safety of consumers and having a right to sue for redress. This view is supported by the history and the evolution of the assumption of risk defense in the U.S., and the similar approaches of other common law and civil law systems.
A Mixed-Method Analysis of Schedule and Cost Growth in Defense Acquisition Programs

Cost and schedule overruns are common in the procurement of large-scale defense acquisition programs. Current work focuses on identifying the root causes of cost growth and schedule delays in the defense acquisition programs. There is need for a mix of quantitative and qualitative analysis of cost and schedule overruns which takes into account program factor such as, technology maturity, design maturity, initial acquisition time, and program complexity. Such analysis requires an easy to access database for program-specific data about how an acquisition programs’ technical and financial characteristics vary over the time. To fulfill this need, the objective of this paper is twofold: (i) to develop a database of major US defense weapons programs which includes details of the technical and financial characteristics and how they vary over time, and (ii) to test various hypotheses about the interdependence of such characteristics using the collected data. To achieve the objective, we use a mixed-method analysis on schedule and cost growth data available in the U.S. Government Accountability Office's (GAO's) defense acquisitions annual assessments during the period 2003-2017. We extracted both analytical and textual data from original reports into Excel files and further created an easy to access database accessible from a Python environment. The analysis reveals that technology immaturity is the major driver of cost and schedule growth during the early stages of the acquisition programs while technical inefficiencies drive cost overruns and schedule delays during the later stages. Further, we find that the acquisition programs with longer initial length do not necessarily have higher greater cost growth. The dataset and the results provide a useful starting point for the research community for modeling cost and schedule overruns, and for practitioners to inform their systems acquisition processes.
Mergers, Acquisitions and Magazine Media in 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the profit-driven approach utilized by global media conglomerates and explore how trade-offs, such as human capital and a decrease in the diversity of cultur...
Seafood toxins

We have presented in some detail the more common clinical syndromes produced by the ingestion of natural seafood toxins, and touched on those that could be of interest to the international traveler and to the sport fisherman. For the practicing allergist, knowledge of this wide array of clinical syndromes of toxicity is of paramount importance for the proper differential diagnosis of seafood allergy. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis is clinical, and therefore a careful history and physical exam are essential.
TAXONOMIC AND NOMENCLATURAL NOTES ON MICONIA CRENATA AND RELATED SPECIES (MELASTOMATACEAE: MICONIEAE) IN THE GREATER ANTILLES

The nomenclature and phylogenetic placement of five species of Miconieae in the Greater Antilles with conspicuous multicellular, simple, elongate, eglandular or gland-headed hairs, pseudolateral inflorescences, and flowers with elongated calyx teeth, 5–8, white, rounded petals, white, ovate anthers, and purple- or blue-black fruits are considered. These species have traditionally been considered within the polyphyletic genus Clidemia, but are here transferred to Miconia sensu lato. Four new combinations are presented, i.e., Miconia dependens (D. Don) Judd & Majure, M. erythropogon (DC.) Judd & Ionta, M. octona (Bonpl.) Judd & Majure, and M. strigillosa (Sw.) Judd & Ionta. Finally, we note that the widespread and economically important species previously known as Clidemia hirta (L.) DC., when considered within Miconia, bears the name Miconia crenata (Vahl) Michelang.
Glycocalyx Curving the Membrane: Forces Emerging from the Cell Exterior

Morphological transitions are typically attributed to the actions of proteins and lipids. Largely overlooked in membrane shape regulation is the glycocalyx, a pericellular membrane coat that reside...
Association between body mass index changes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives: To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) changes and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Based on the T2DM cohort in rural communities of Zhejiang province, baseline and follow up information of height, weight, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C of the T2DM patients were collected. After excluding those who died during the follow-up period, lost follow-up or had incomplete information, a total of 8 953 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Multiple linear regression and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for analysis. Results: At baseline survey, 40.97% of the T2DM patients were overweight and obese. Compared with those with normal BMI, the SBP, DBP and TG level were significantly higher, while HDL-C level was significantly lower in the overweight and obese T2DM patients (P 0.05). The change value of BMI was positively correlated with the change value of SBP, DBP, TG and LDL-C, while negatively correlated with the change value of HDL-C (P<0.05). Conclusions: Abnormal changes in BMI are associated with the adverse changes of blood glucose level, blood pressure, and blood lipids level and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Keeping normal BMI would benefit the positive outcome of cardiovascular adverse factors.
The Curious Life of In Loco Parentis at American Universities

In this article I trace the legal history, through court opinions, of in loco parentis (Latin for “in the place of the parent”) as applied to the relationship between American universities and their students. I demonstrate that until the 1960s, the in loco parentis doctrine allowed universities to exercise great discretion in developing the “character” of their students without respect to their students’ constitutional rights. The demise of this doctrine forced courts, and universities themselves, to redefine the relationship of universities with their students in important ways.
Homeostatic Responses to Prolonged Cold Exposure: Human Cold Acclimatization

Abstract : This report reviews human physiological adjustments induced by chronic exposure to cold stress. Three broad types of adjustments are identified. The most commonly observed adjustment exhibited by humans chronically exposed to cold is a hypothermic habituation. Blunted shivering and vasoconstrictor responses to cold characterize this adjustment which enables maintenance of warmer skin during cold exposure. Metabolic acclimatization/ acclimation has been observed in which shivering response to cold becomes exaggerated. Insulative acclimatization/acclimation has also been observed in which persons chronically exposed to cold vasoconstrict cutaneous vasculature more readily. The factors determining which pattern of adjustment occurs remain unidentified, although a theoretical explanation is presented which is based on the intensity of the cold stress experienced. Cold, Acclimation, Metabolism, Insulation
Intracellular mRNA cleavage induced through activation of RNase P by nuclease-resistant external guide sequences

Most antisense oligonucleotide experiments are performed with molecules containing RNase H-competent backbones. However, RNase H may cleave nontargeted mRNAs bound to only partially complementary oligonucleotides. Decreasing such "irrelevant cleavage" would be of critical importance to the ability of the antisense biotechnology to provide accurate assessment of gene function. RNase P is a ubiquitous endogenous cellular ribozyme whose function is to cleave the 5' terminus of precursor tRNAs to generate the mature tRNA. To recruit RNase P, complementary oligonucleotides called external guide sequences (EGS), which mimic structural features of precursor tRNA, were incorporated into an antisense 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide targeted to the 3' region of the PKC-alpha mRNA. In T24 human bladder carcinoma cells, these EGSs, but not control sequences, were highly effective in downregulating PKC-alpha protein and mRNA expression. Furthermore, the downregulation is dependent on the presence of, and base sequence in, the T-loop. Similar observations were made with an EGS targeted to the bcl-xL mRNA.
Antineoplastic effect of β‐elemene on prostate cancer cells and other types of solid tumour cells

OBJECTIVES: beta-Elemene, a natural compound extracted from over 50 different Chinese medicinal herbs and plants, has been effective in the treatment of hyperplastic and proliferative disorders such as prostatic hypertrophy, hysteromyoma and neoplasms. Our previous studies have demonstrated that beta-elemene exhibits strong inhibitory activity in ovarian cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of beta-elemene on prostate cancer cells as well as other types of tumour cells and to determine whether the effect of beta-elemene on prostate cancer cell death was mediated through the induction of apoptosis. METHODS: The MTT assay was used to evaluate the ability of beta-elemene to inhibit cellular proliferation in cancer cells. Cellular apoptosis was assessed by annexin V binding, TUNEL and ELISA-based assays. Caspase activity was measured using a caspases assay kit. The protein levels of Bcl-2, caspases, cytochrome c and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were analysed by Western blotting. KEY FINDINGS: Here, we showed that beta-elemene had an antiproliferative effect on androgen-insensitive prostate carcinoma DU145 and PC-3 cells. Treatment with beta-elemene also inhibited the growth of brain, breast, cervical, colon and lung carcinoma cells. The effect of beta-elemene on cancer cells was dose dependent, with IC50 values ranging from 47 to 95 microg/ml (230-465 microm). TUNEL assay and flow cytometric analysis using annxin V/propidium iodide staining revealed that the percentage of apoptotic prostate cancer cells was increased by beta-elemene in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-elemene exposure resulted in a decreased Bcl-2 protein level, increased cytochrome c release, and activated PARP and caspase-3, -7, -9, and -10 in prostate cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings suggest that beta-elemene exerts broad-spectrum antitumour activity against many types of solid carcinoma and supports a proposal of beta-elemene as a new potentially therapeutic drug for castration-resistant prostate cancer and other solid tumours.
Asymptomatic Papular Eruption in a Teenage Boy

Ahealthyteenagedboywasseenwithapapulareruptiononthetrunkand legsof3months’ duration. He had initially developed lesions on his legs, which then spread to his neck, chest, and buttocks. This eruption was asymptomatic, and the patient reported no history of vesiculation. His mother noted minimal evolution of the lesions, except for recent flattening of those on the legs. Physical examination showed numerous discrete (1 to 3 mm) smooth brown papules concentrated on the neck, chest, anterior and lateral thighs, and buttocks (Figure 1). Several lesions had a positive Darier sign (Figure 1A). There was no family history of similar lesions. A punch biopsy of a papule on the left thigh was performed, and the specimen was submitted for pathological review. Quiz at jamadermatology.com A B
Properties of infinite-layer and T′-phase electron-doped copper-oxide superconductors

An overview of recent research on electron-doped infinite-layer compounds (e.g., Sr1−x LaxCuO2) and electron-doped T′-phase compounds (e.g., Ns2−x CexCuO4) is presented. Studies of steric effects indicate that superconductivity disappears in both systems for values of the in-plane lattice constant below a critical values a cr ≈3.92 A. Data from the Nd1−yYy)2−xCexCuO4 system confirm that steric effects are responsible for the loss of superconductivity (i.e., not magnetic interactions, as has been recently proposed). Previous Mossbauer work has emphasized the presence of a distribution of antiferromagnetic clusters in Nd−Ce−Cu−O, as well as the strong 2-D nature of the magnetism in that system; thus, we have modelled our anisotropic resistivity data (Montgomery method) using a spin-fluctuation scattering model. The extracted parameters indicate a gap to spin excitations (Δ≈3.4 meV), reasonable scattering lengths (l ‖≈200 A; l perp ≈4 A), and a mass anisotropy m ⊥/m ‖≈570. A remarkably linear dependence of the extracted Fermi wavevector on the residual resistivity provides values of the impurity scattering cross section and impurity concentration. Also discussed are properties of La2−x YxCuO4, the first T′-phase compound without a magnetic rare-earth element. Various other investigations of these two known electrondoped copper-oxide structures are presented or reviewed.
Aerosol effect on the warm rain formation process: Satellite observations and modeling

[1] This study demonstrates how aerosols influence the liquid precipitation formation process. This demonstration is provided by the combined use of satellite observations and global high-resolution model simulations. Methodologies developed to examine the warm cloud microphysical processes are applied to both multi-sensor satellite observations and aerosol-coupled global cloud-resolving model (GCRM) results to illustrate how the warm rain formation process is modulated under different aerosol conditions. The observational analysis exhibits process-scale signatures of rain suppression due to increased aerosols, providing observational evidence of the aerosol influence on precipitation. By contrast, the corresponding statistics obtained from the model show a much faster rain formation even for polluted aerosol conditions and much weaker reduction of precipitation in response to aerosol increase. It is then shown that this reduced sensitivity points to a fundamental model bias in the warm rain formation process that in turn biases the influence of aerosol on precipitation. A method of improving the model bias is introduced in the context of a simplified single-column model (SCM) that represents the cloud-to-rain water conversion process in a manner similar to the original GCRM. Sensitivity experiments performed by modifying the model assumptions in the SCM and their comparisons to satellite statistics both suggest that the auto-conversion scheme has a critical role in determining the precipitation response to aerosol perturbations and also provide a novel way of constraining key parameters in the auto-conversion schemes of global models.
Biomedical Informatics Applications for Asthma Care: A Systematic Review

Asthma is a common condition associated with significant patient morbidity and health care costs. Although widely accepted evidence-based guidelines for asthma management exist, unnecessary variation in patient care remains. Application of biomedical informatics techniques is one potential way to improve care for asthmatic patients. We performed a systematic literature review to identify computerized applications for clinical asthma care. Studies were evaluated for their clinical domain, developmental stage and study design. Additionally, prospective trials were identified and analyzed for potential study biases, study effects, and clinical study characteristics. Sixty-four papers were selected for review. Publications described asthma detection or diagnosis (18 papers), asthma monitoring or prevention (13 papers), patient education (13 papers), and asthma guidelines or therapy (20 papers). The majority of publications described projects in early stages of development or with non-prospective study designs. Twenty-one prospective trials were identified, which evaluated both clinical and non-clinical impacts on patient care. Most studies took place in the outpatient clinic environment, with minimal study of the emergency department or inpatient settings. Few studies demonstrated evidence of computerized applications improving clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to prospectively evaluate the impact of using biomedical informatics to improve care of asthmatic patients.
In Reply: Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease

We thank Dr Gross for his comments and the opportunity to clarify the points he has raised. Our study is based on a retrospective comparison of the clinical course of patients with sickle cell diagnosed at birth with that of patients whose disease was diagnosed during infancy as a result of clinical complications. We recognize the limitations of this retrospective comparison. However, a prospective study comparing these two groups would be impossible and perhaps unethical to perform. Specifically, Dr Gross9 concerns include (1) both groups should have equally benefited from comprehensive care once diagnosis was established; (2) there was a bias in favor of a lower mortality rate in the newborn screening group; (3) confusion concerning calculation of mortality rates.
(2,4-cis and trans)-Gigantecinone and 4-Deoxygigantecin, Bioactive Nonadjacent Bis-Tetrahydrofuran Annonaceous Acetogenins, from Goniothalamus giganteus

Two new acetogenins, (2,4-cis and trans)-gigantecinone (1), isolated as a mixture, and 4-deoxygigantecin (2), a known acetogenin whose absolute stereochemistry has not been determined previously, were isolated using activity-directed fractionation, from the bark of Goniothalamus giganteus. A key step in solving their absolute stereochemistries was the preparation of 1,4-diol formaldehyde acetal derivatives (1b and 2a). Using the advanced Mosher ester method and circular dichroism, the absolute stereochemistries of 1 and 2 were revealed and were found to be the same as that of gigantecin (3), which supports a common biogenetic origin. Both 1 and 1b showed potent and selective cytotoxicities against the PC-3 human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line. Against yellow fever mosquito larvae, 1 and 2 were more potent than rotenone in pesticidal activity. Longimicin C and a mixture of (2,4-cis and trans)-isoannonacin were also isolated for the first time from this species.
OPNET-based modeling and simulation study on handoffs in Internet-based infrastructure wireless mesh networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have recently emerged to be a cost-effective solution to support large-scale wireless Internet access. Handoff management plays an important role in WMNs in delivering Quality of Service to mobile users. Hence, the analysis of handoff performance in WMNs is in a critical need for network researchers and engineers. Recently, OPNET simulation platform becomes a leading provider of solutions for evaluating network designs and applications. However, there is no formal approach or methodology as to how OPNET can be used to assess the support and readiness of an Internet-based WMN in supporting handoffs incurred by various roaming types. In this paper, we propose detailed simulation models for network topology and elements necessary to construct an Internet-based infrastructure WMN using OPNET, along with the modeling and implementation of two handoff designs considering the special design challenges in WMNs. Sequential handoff steps involved in multilayer handoffs are analyzed thoroughly via the OPNET debug tool. Moreover, the paper discusses many design and engineering issues pertaining to the deployment of handoff management in Internet-based infrastructure WMNs. The implemented simulation module provides handoff performance results for both intra- and inter-gateway roaming scenarios and can be an effective evaluation tool for handoff management designs in Internet-based infrastructure WMNs.
Excretion and metabolic fate of radiolabeled estradiol and testosterone in the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

The metabolism and time courses for clearance of radiolabeled estradiol and testosterone were studied in the female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) using a simple technique of solubilizing dried fecal/urine matter in an aqueous solution. Carbon 14 radiolabeled estradiol and testosterone were injected intramuscularly and the urine and fecal matter collected for the pursuant 168 hr. The predominant radiolabel peak was found associated with the aqueous residue of the ether extracted aliquot for both hormones. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation of solubilized fecal/urine material collected during the first sampling interval (0–4 hr after injection) demonstrated that the majority of the excreted radiolabel was in the form of conjugated steroid metabolites in both the estradiol and testosterone injected birds. Subsequent hydrolysis of the aqueous residue of the ether extracted aliquots and HPLC characterized the estrogen and testosterone metabolites as being estrone/estradiol and a variety of androgen based moieties, respectively. By 24 hr postinjection, 79.4 and 79.1% of the original radiolabel was recovered in birds injected with estradiol and testosterone, respectively. These findings demonstrate that steroid hormone excretion in the cockatiel is a rapid and efficient process that is 79% complete by 24 hr and that the primary excretion products are conjugated metabolites. This study also supports the concept that fecal/urine collection is a practical and efficient method of monitoring sex steroid excretion and provides additional evidence that simple solubilization of fecal matter is a sufficient and efficient method for processing feces for subsequent metabolite measurements. Zoo Biol 16:505–518, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Post-transcriptional nature of uremia-induced downregulation of hepatic apolipoprotein A-I production.

Chronic kidney disease is associated with premature death from cardiovascular disease, which is, in part, driven by high density lipoprotein deficiency and dysfunction. One of the main causes of high density lipoprotein deficiency in chronic kidney disease is diminished plasma apolipoprotein (Apo)A-I level. Plasma ApoA-I is reduced in dialysis patients and hepatic ApoA-I messenger RNA (mRNA) is decreased in the uremic rats. This study explored the mechanism of uremia-induced downregulation of ApoA-I. Human hepatoma derived cells were incubated in media containing whole plasma or plasma subfractionation from normal subjects and patients with end stage renal disease pre- and posthemodialysis. Cells and culture media were isolated to measure ApoA-I protein and mRNA. ApoA-I promoter activity was measured using transfection with a luciferase promoter construct containing the –2096 to +293 segment of ApoA-I gene. Finally, effect of uremic and control plasma was assessed on ApoA-I RNA stability. Exposure to uremic plasma significantly reduced ApoA-I mRNA expression and ApoA-I protein production. These effects were reversed by replacing uremic plasma with normal plasma. Although no difference in ApoA-I promoter activity was found between cells exposed to uremic and normal plasma, uremic plasma significantly reduced ApoA-I RNA stability. Experiments using plasma subfractions revealed that the inhibitory effect of uremic plasma on ApoA-I mRNA expression resides in fractions containing molecules larger but not smaller than 30 kd. The pre- and postdialysis plasma exerted an equally potent inhibitory effect on ApoA-I mRNA abundance. Uremia lowers ApoA-I production by reducing its RNA stability. The inhibitory effect of uremic milieu on ApoA-I mRNA expression is mediated by non-dialyzable molecule(s) larger than 30 kd.
Numerical simulation of steady and unsteady, vorticity-dominated aerodynamic interference

The problem of modeling steady and unsteady aerodynamic interference is discussed. A configuration resembling the X-29 is used as an example. The general unsteady vortex-lattice method is used to model the flowfield. By considering the components operating alone and as members of the complete configuration, we demonstrate the importance of accurately simulating the wakes of the upstream components. The wakes of the canards as well as the canards themselves have a strong negative influence on the lift generated by the main wing; the main wing has a positive influence on the lift generated by the canards. The forward sweep of the main wing tends to focus the generated upwash in the vicinity of the canards. It is shown that the maximum influence of the vorticity shed from the canards does not develop until the shed vorticity convects downstream directly over the main wing. The general unsteady vortex-lattice method appears to be a reasonably accurate model of closely coupled, vorticity-dominated flowfields as long as the lines of the separation are known and vortex bursting does not occur near the wings.
Alcohol and Memory: Retrieval Processes.

The influence of alcohol intoxication on the retrieval of information from memory was investigated in nonalcoholic subjects. In Experiment 1, free-recall learning of a 60-word, categorized list was impaired by alcohol intoxication. Fewer categories and words within categories were recalled by intoxicated subjects, and providing category cues after the third trial produced significantly greater improvement in recall for intoxicated than for sober subjects. It was concluded that retrieval processes may have been impaired by alcohol intoxication, but that differences in strength of the memory traces might also account for the observed differences in recall. In Experiment 2, storage was equated so that the effects of alcohol on retrieval processes alone could be assessed. Free-recall and paired-associate lists were learned in a sober State and were retrieved 1 week later in either a sober or an intoxicated state. Neither speed, nor accuracy, nor the amount of benefit produced by cues was influenced by alcohol intoxication, whereas new learning was impaired. It was concluded that the retrieval stage of memory was not affected by alcohol.
Cyclic motor activity in the human fetus after midgestation.

The spontaneous movements of human fetuses were studied longitudinally between 21 and 41 weeks of gestation. At each age, spectral analysis of the fluctuations in fetal movement revealed strong cyclic patterns. The frequency of the dominant motor rhythms ranged from .13 to 1.91 cycles per minute. The strength of oscillations between .18 and 1.02 cycles per minute increased slightly with gestation, but the frequency of the dominant motility cycle, the width of the corresponding spectral peak, and the incidence of weaker (usually faster) rhythms did not change. Neuromuscular activity is known to serve important developmental functions in the embryo and fetus. The ubiquity and relative consistency of cyclic motility in the last half of human gestation, and the existence of similar periodicity in other species, suggest that the cyclic activation of developing motor circuits may possess particular adaptive value.