cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Diverse Functions of Oxysterol-Binding Proteins

Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP)-related proteins (ORPs) are lipid-binding proteins that are conserved from yeast to humans. They are implicated in many cellular processes including signaling, vesicular trafficking, lipid metabolism, and nonvesicular sterol transport. All ORPs contain an OSBP-related domain (ORD) that has a hydrophobic pocket that binds a single sterol. ORDs also contain additional membrane-binding surfaces, some of which bind phosphoinositides and may regulate sterol binding. Studies in yeast suggest that ORPs function as sterol transporters, perhaps in regions where organelle membranes are closely apposed. Yeast ORPs also participate in vesicular trafficking, although their role is unclear. In mammalian cells, some ORPs function as sterol sensors that regulate the assembly of protein complexes in response to changes in cholesterol levels. This review will summarize recent advances in our understanding of how ORPs bind lipids and membranes and how they function in diverse cellular processes.
Cutting edge: an NK cell-independent role for Slamf4 in controlling humoral autoimmunity.

Several genes within a syntenic region of human and mouse chromosome 1 are associated with predisposition to systemic lupus erythematosus. Analyses of lupus-prone congenic mice have pointed to an important role for the signaling lymphocyte activation molecule family (slamf)6 surface receptor in lupus pathogenesis. In this article, we demonstrate that a second member of the Slamf gene family, Slamf4 ( Cd244 ), contributes to lupus-related autoimmunity. B6.Slamf4 −/− mice spontaneously develop activated CD4 T cells and B cells and increased numbers of T follicular helper cells and a proportion develop autoantibodies to nuclear Ags. B6 . Slamf4 −/− mice also exhibit markedly increased autoantibody production in the B6 .C-H-2bm12/KhEg → B6 transfer model of lupus. Although slamf4 function is best characterized in NK cells, the enhanced humoral autoimmunity of B6 . Slamf4 −/− mice is NK cell independent, as judged by depletion studies. Taken together, our findings reveal that slamf4 has an NK cell-independent negative regulatory role in the pathogenesis of lupus a normally non-autoimmune prone genetic background.
Ubiquitous Computing and Changing Pedagogical Possibilities: Representations, Conceptualizations and Uses of Knowledge:

This article reports on preliminary findings from an ongoing study of teaching and learning in a ubiquitous computing classroom. The research employed mixed methods and multiple measures to document changes in teaching and learning that result when teachers and students have access to a variety of digital devices wherever and whenever they need them. It identifies ways in which ubiquitous computing environments can support both individual and social construction of knowledge, and the role that unique representations of knowledge supported by a variety of ready-at-hand digital devices can play in such support.
Synthesis of Shared Autonomy Policies With Temporal Logic Specifications

We propose a synthesis method of switching control policies for a class of shared autonomy systems in which control authority is held by either a human operator or an autonomous controller based on the state of the overall system. The objective is to optimize the system performance measured by the probability of satisfying a system specification in linear temporal logic, while ensuring a reasonable workload for the human operator. The synthesis method builds upon the construction of an abstract model for the given shared autonomy system from a set of components modeled by Markov decision processes, which are capable of capturing the uncertainty in the operator's performance and response to switching control signals under his different cognitive and physiological states. A cost function is then introduced to quantify the human operator's workload. In order to establish quantitative trade-offs between the operator's effort and the system performance, we propose a two-stage policy synthesis algorithm for generating Pareto-optimal switching control policies.
Lagrangian Mechanics of Particles and Rigid Bodies

In classical mechanics the subject analytical dynamics is concerned with motions of particles and rigid bodies. These physical entities may be represented by mathematical models possessing only a finite number of degrees of freedom in their motions. In this chapter we develop the dynamical theory for certain special systems of particles and rigid bodies. The title Lagrangian mechanics is chosen because the governing equations of motion for such systems are known as Lagrange’s equations.
Changes in enteric neural regulation of smooth muscle in a rabbit model of small intestinal inflammation

In vitro electrophysiological studies of ileal circular muscle from rabbits with ricin-induced inflammation were performed to investigate whether altered neural control or myogenic activity contributes to previously described changes in in vivo myoelectric activity. Ricin treatment increased mean slow-wave amplitude but not frequency or resting membrane potential. Prolonged electrical field stimulation evoked a hyperpolarization during the stimulus train and a depolarization on cessation of stimulation. In the presence of atropine, the depolarization was larger in ricin-treated tissue than in control tissue, showing that ileitis enhanced noncholinergic excitation. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester reduced the hyperpolarization in ricin-treated but not in control tissue, suggesting that inflammation increased nitric oxide-mediated inhibition. Substance P desensitization reduced noncholinergic excitation and mean slow-wave amplitude only in ricin-treated tissue, demonstrating that changes in these parameters during inflammation resulted from increased release of, or sensitivity to, tachykinins. These data suggest that acute ileitis alters tachykinin- and nitric oxide-mediated neurotransmission that may affect the normal pattern of ileal motility and/or sensory reflexes.
Forensic Characterization of Papers. II: Determination of Batch Differences by Scanning Electron Microscopic Elemental Analysis of the Inorganic Components

Paper is often used in the course of criminal activities, including kidnapping, bombings, forgery, conspiracy, threatening letters, and gambling. Thus the examination of paper is a common task for the document examiner [1].
HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF SONG CHARACTERISTICS IN PHYLLOSCOPUS AND HIPPOLAIS WARBLERS

AisTRACT.--Bird-song functions, such as mate attraction, species recognition, and territory defense, are closely linked to individual fitness. Thus, habitat characteristics that affect song transmission and degradation should exert a strong influence on the evolution of song attributes. Whereas different acoustic environments may influence the evolution of song characteristics, factors such as body size and evolutionary history of taxa are expected to constrain the amount of environmental variation in song properties. In the present study, we controlled for phylogeny and examined the effects of body mass and habitat structure on variation in song structure of 30 taxa of Phylloscopus and Hippolais warblers, which are a closely related group of birds that occupy a wide variety of habitats and show high variation in vocalizations. Habitat structure was strongly correlated with temporal characteristics of songs but not with most of the frequency-related attributes that we measured. Only the highest frequencies of songs varied with habitat structure. As predicted, species occupying closed habitats avoided the use of rapidly modulated signals and had song structures that minimized reverberation. Body mass covaried significantly with most of the song attributes. Smaller species used higher frequencies and had more notes in their songs compared with larger species. Received 9 May 1996, accepted 26 July 1996.
Radio-Frequency Spectra of Li 6 Cl by the Molecular Beam Electric Resonance Method

Transitions between the hyperfine structure levels of the rotational state of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$Cl with $J=1$ were studied by the molecular beam electric resonance method. The electric quadrupole interaction constant, ${(\mathrm{eqQ})}_{\mathrm{Cl}}$, and the spin-rotation interaction constant, ${c}_{\mathrm{CI}}$, of the chlorine nucleus, and the product of the square of the molecular dipole moment, ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}$, and moment of inertia, $A$, were determined in several different vibrational states. These constants, and the ratios derived from them are: The random errors in ${\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}A$ are given in the foregoing. The systematic error was \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}76}$ cgs.The vibrational constant, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{e}$, was found to be 536\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}60 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ from a study of line intensities. The magnetic field at the chlorine nucleus, ${H}_{R}$, was calculated to be 4.96\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.23 gauss from ${c}_{\mathrm{Cl}}$ for ${\mathrm{Li}}^{6}$${\mathrm{Cl}}^{35}$ in the zeroth vibrational state. $\ensuremath{\mu}$, and the internuclear distance, $r$, were found from beam deflection data to be 5.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.3 Debye units 2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.4 A, respectively.A static electric field was used to study the Stark effect. When the static field was weak or absent, line frequencies were found to depend on the magnitude of the radio-frequency field used to produce transitions. This effect is termed "radio-frequency Stark effect." A theory for this effect was developed and accounts for the observations.
The role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in an animalasthma model

Objective To investigate the role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO)in asthma.Methods The mouse asthma model was induced by ovalbumin(OVA).IDO expression was detected on the level of protein and mRNA respectively.Distribution and maturation of dendritic cells were detected by the immunofluorescence method.Results(1)The symptoms and lung inflammation in the model group were more serious than control group.The serum total IgE was significantly higher in the model group than that in the control group,165.50 ± 30.13 ng/ml vs.94.45 ± 28.30 ng/ml(P 0.05).(2)IDO expression in the model group was lower than that in control group.On the level of protein,mean intergrated optical density was 11.38 ± 6.05 in the model group vs.23.62 ± 8.92 in the control group(P 0.05);on the level of mRNA,IDO expression of the model group was 33% of the control group(P 0.05).(3)CD11c+CD86+ cells were distributed in alveolar wall and around small vessels.The quantity of CD11c+CD86+ cells in lungs of the model group were significantly smaller than that in the control group.The median intergrated fluorescence intensity was 9961.86(range,7 406.52 ～ 12 724.98)in the model group vs.15974.60(range,10 006.39 ～ 16 171.46)in the control group(P 0.05).Conclusions IDO expression is low and matured dendritic cells are less in situ in the asthma model.These suggest that less matured DCs may produce less IDO,which may play an important role in asthma.
A new species of bloodsucking midge from Heilongjiang province of China(Diptera:Ceratopogonidae)

A new species of Culicoides was described during the identification specimens of bloodsucking midges from Xunke ports,Heilongjiang province,C.xunkeensis sp.nov.The new species is somewhat allied to C.corniculus Liu et Chu,1981 and C.koreensis Arnaud,1956 in the wing spots,but they are distinctly different in the shapes of aedeagus and parameres of male genitalia.The type specimen is deposited in the Entomology Collection Gallery of Heilongjiang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the P.R.China,Haerbin 150001,China.
Concepts and theoretical considerations in community policing

Policing is a much older concept than can be assumed by the nineteenth-century organization and establishment of what became the modern police forces as we now know them in most of the Western world. It is an important concept in the production of formal social control in both large and small societies. Policing is taken for granted as necessary to maintain an orderly society, or what we presently tend to refer to as the maintenance of ‘law and order’. The Judaeo-Christian tradition of policing is anchored in Deuteronomy 16: 18: ‘Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates.’ But the real question to ask of judges who interpret the law and officers who enforce it, is the extent to which their actions have a true impact on reducing violation of the law; that is, to what extent can officers control crime when they are not those who produce it. In other words, assuming that community produces crime, does police work have a better impact on the crime rate with or without the assistance of various elements of the community?
Relationships Between Altered Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Activation and Cortical Thickness in Patients With Euthymic Bipolar I Disorder.

Abstract Background Performance during cognitive control functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tasks are associated with frontal lobe hypoactivation in patients with bipolar disorder, even while euthymic. We examine the structural underpinnings for this functional abnormality simultaneously with brain activation data. Methods In a sample of 90 adults (45 with interepisode bipolar I disorder and 45 healthy controls), we explored abnormal functional activation patterns in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder during a Go/NoGo fMRI task and their associations with regional deficits in cortical gray matter thickness. Cross-sectional differences in fMRI activation were used to form a priori hypotheses for region of interest cortical gray matter thickness analyses. Blood oxygen level–dependent fMRI to structural magnetic resonance imaging thickness correlations were conducted across the sample and within patients and controls separately. Results During response inhibition (NoGo − Go), patients with bipolar I disorder showed significant hypoactivation and reduced thickness in the inferior frontal cortex, superior frontal gyrus, and cingulate compared to controls. Cingulate hypoactivation corresponded with reduced regional thickness. A significant activation by disease state interaction was observed with thickness in left prefrontal areas. Conclusions Reduced cingulate fMRI activation is associated with reduced cortical thickness. In the left frontal lobe, a thinner cortex was associated with increased fMRI activation in patients but showed a reverse trend in controls. These findings suggest that reduced activation in the inferior frontal cortex and cingulate during a response inhibition task may have an underlying structural etiology, which may explain task-related functional hypoactivation that persists even when patients are euthymic.
Testis-specific transcriptional regulators selectively occupy BORIS-bound CTCF target regions in mouse male germ cells

Despite sharing the same sequence specificity in vitro and in vivo, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and its paralog brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) are simultaneously expressed in germ cells. Recently, ChIP-seq analysis revealed two classes of CTCF/BORIS-bound regions: single CTCF target sites (1xCTSes) that are bound by CTCF alone (CTCF-only) or double CTCF target sites (2xCTSes) simultaneously bound by CTCF and BORIS (CTCF&BORIS) or BORIS alone (BORIS-only) in germ cells and in BORIS-positive somatic cancer cells. BORIS-bound regions (CTCF&BORIS and BORIS-only sites) are, on average, enriched for RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) binding and histone retention in mature spermatozoa relative to CTCF-only sites, but little else is known about them. We show that subsets of CTCF&BORIS and BORIS-only sites are occupied by several testis-specific transcriptional regulators (TSTRs) and associated with highly expressed germ cell-specific genes and histone retention in mature spermatozoa. We also demonstrate a physical interaction between BORIS and one of the analyzed TSTRs, TATA-binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 7-like (TAF7L). Our data suggest that CTCF and BORIS cooperate with additional TSTRs to regulate gene expression in developing male gametes and histone retention in mature spermatozoa, potentially priming certain regions of the genome for rapid activation following fertilization.
Revisiting the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in prostate cancer

The androgen receptor (AR) is a widely accepted therapeutic target in prostate cancer and multiple studies indicate that the AR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways intersect. Recent genome-wide analysis of prostate cancer metastases illustrate the importance of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in prostate cancer and compel us to reexamine the interaction of the AR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. This review includes newer areas of interest such as non-canonical Wnt signaling and the role of Wnts in prostate cancer stem cells. The effort to develop Wnt modulating therapeutics, both biologics and small molecules, is also discussed.
Generation of controllable gaseous H2S concentrations using microfluidics

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays an important role as an intercellular and intracellular signaling molecule, yet its targets are not well understood. As a molecule it easily evaporates and it is hard to acquire stable concentration for in vitro studies, constituting a major problem for the field to identify its downstream targets and function. Here we develop a microfluidic system that can provide consistent and controllable H2S levels in contrast to the current method of delivering large bolus doses to cells. The system relies on the permeability of H2S gas through a polydimethylsiloxane thin membrane. A hydrogen sulfide donor, sodium hydrosulfide, is perfused in the microchannels below the gas permeable membrane and gaseous H2S diffuses across the membrane, providing a stable concentration for up to 5 hours. Using electrochemical sensors within 3 ppm range, we found that H2S concentration was dependent on two parameters, the concentration of H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide and the flow rate of the solution in the microchannels. Additionally, different H2S concentration profiles can be obtained by alternating the flow rate, providing an easy means to control the H2S concentration. Our approach constitutes a unique method for H2S delivery for in vitro and ex vivo studies and is ideally suited to identify novel biological processes and cellular mechanisms regulated by H2S.
Measurement of Layered Corrosion with Compton Backscatter

Compton backscatter has intrigued NDT researchers for a number of years because of its capability for making x-ray pictures without requiring access to both sides of the piece being examined[l]. The major obstacles to commercial development have been its slowness and the high cost of the equipment. Additionally, the resolution obtained has been circumscribed; the best reported resolution appears to be less than 1.5 lp/mm.[2]. As a result, little commercial application has emerged for Compton backscatter as an imaging tool. Recently, interest in aircraft corrosion has renewed interest in Compton backscatter for NDT. This interest appears to be justified partly because aircraft corrosion often takes a layered morphology; and, the needed information is the thickness of the layers. Consequently, it is possible to trade resolution in the directions whose axes lie in the plane of the layers for better resolution along the thickness axis. Furthermore, because the layers usually have a lateral extension of several inches or more, the measurement problem can be reduced to a one dimensional scan in the thickness direction. These characteristics allow for a great reduction in the complexity of the apparatus, a substantial improvement in resolution and an increase in the speed of measurement.
Voting: Retrospective/Prospective

The theory of retrospective voting holds that voters decide to retain or reject incumbent politicians primarily on the basis of objective conditions—in particular economic conditions—that have obtained during their tenure in office. Analyses of economic time series and voting data have produced overwhelming evidence as to the existence of economic retrospective voting, but also show that it is not a ubiquitous phenomenon. In the USA, favorable economic conditions clearly benefit the incumbent president and congressional candidates of his party in on-year elections, but have a much smaller impact upon midterm elections. The strength of economic retrospective voting is also a function of ‘clarity of responsibility’ in the institutions of government. Thus, it is stronger and more consistent in some countries than in others. Other researchers have investigated the nature of retrospective voting by analyzing opinion surveys. They have found that whether or not respondents are personally doing well or poorly economically has a surprisingly weak impact upon their reported voting decisions. The choice to retain or to reject the present incumbents is instead conditioned much more strongly upon their assessments of recent trends in the nation's economy. Consistent with the aggregate-level evidence, opinion surveys have also shown economic retrospective voting to be stronger in countries with more clarity of responsibility. In such countries, the voters' task of establishing credit or blame is presumably more straightforward.
Opioids and Exercise: Animal Models

This chapter provides an accounting of the study of endogenous opioids and exercise, focusing on animal studies. We describe the advantages and limitations of rodent models for the study of brain and behavior and give examples of how those models can be applied to investigate the role of opioids within brain neuromodulatory systems that may be useful for the study of the motivation to be physically active and the behavioral consequences of physical activity.
Facultative myrmecophily (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the hops blue butterfly, Celastrina humulus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae).

ABSTRACT: The hops blue butterfly (Celastrina humulus) is a rare North American butterfly, found in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States in areas where its host plant, wild hops (Humulus lupulus), grows in abundance. As a member of the Lycaenidae we considered it likely that myrmecophiles may exist with ants found in C. humulus habitats. To better understand the ecology of this species and guide conservation efforts, we investigated and documented myrmecophily with multiple ant species. We found seven ant species with close associations with C. humulus larvae.
Superiority of SpiroZin2 Versus FluoZin-3 for monitoring vesicular Zn 2+ allows tracking of lysosomal Zn 2+ pools

Small-molecule fluorescent probes are powerful and ubiquitous tools for measuring the concentration and distribution of analytes in living cells. However, accurate characterization of these analytes requires rigorous evaluation of cell-to-cell heterogeneity in fluorescence intensities and intracellular distribution of probes. In this study, we perform a parallel and systematic comparison of two small-molecule fluorescent vesicular Zn2+ probes, FluoZin-3 AM and SpiroZin2, to evaluate each probe for measurement of vesicular Zn2+ pools. Our results reveal that SpiroZin2 is a specific lysosomal vesicular Zn2+ probe and affords uniform measurement of resting Zn2+ levels at the single cell level with proper calibration. In contrast, FluoZin-3 AM produces highly variable fluorescence intensities and non-specifically localizes in the cytosol and multiple vesicular compartments. We further applied SpiroZin2 to lactating mouse mammary epithelial cells and detected a transient increase of lysosomal free Zn2+ at 24-hour after lactation hormone treatment, which implies that lysosomes play a role in the regulation of Zn2+ homeostasis during lactation. This study demonstrates the need for critical characterization of small-molecule fluorescent probes to define the concentration and localization of analytes in different cell populations, and reveals SpiroZin2 to be capable of reporting diverse perturbations to lysosomal Zn2+.
Evaluation of body size and temperature on 137Cs uptake in marine animals.

Abstract 137Cs bioaccumulation and retention in seven different marine animal species, including crustaceans, mollusc larvae, and fish larvae were compared under different temperature conditions (10 °C, 18 °C and 25 °C). Replicate animals were experimentally exposed to 0.5 nM 137Cs dissolved in filtered seawater for 3 days, and their 137Cs contents were periodically measured using gamma spectrometry. Among the seven species, 137Cs bioconcentration factors ranged from 14 to 239 at the end of the exposure periods. Following uptake, the137Cs loss rate constants from the animals ranged from 5 to 50% d−1 and were unaffected by temperature or animal size. The 137Cs bioconcentration factors were directly related to animal size and hence their surface: volume ratios, consistent with the conclusion that Cs sorption from the aqueous phase is the principal uptake mechanism in these animals. With the exception of gastropods, temperature had no major influence on Cs uptake and efflux in the experimental species.
Histologic and Biomolecular Similarities in Healing between Aneurysms and Cutaneous Skin Wounds

SUMMARY: The poorly understood mechanisms of aneurysm healing contribute substantially to the pressing medical problem of coiled aneurysm recanalization. Using an established saccular aneurysm model, we developed an animal model system in rabbits to study aneurysm and skin wound healing concurrently in the same animal. We found treated aneurysm healing to be similar to skin wound healing both histologically and in biomarker gene and protein expression, but in a delayed fashion.
Clinical Presentation, Etiology, and Diagnostic Considerations of Isolated Visceral Artery Dissections

Spontaneous isolated dissection of the visceral arteries is a rare disease. Patients either are asymptomatic or may present with diverse symptoms based on the location of dissection, the extent of visceral artery involvement, and the severity of supplied splanchnic organ ischemia. The diagnosis of symptomatic spontaneous IVAD is based on a high index of suspicion and it can usually be made with DUS and CTA in most patients. The predisposing factors, the type and risk of the lesion, and the natural history of IVAD should be well examined in all patients before therapy is initiated.
The role of word frequency and morpho-orthography in agreement processing

Agreement attraction in comprehension (when an ungrammatical verb is read quickly if preceded by a feature-matching local noun) is well described by a cue-based retrieval framework. This suggests a...
Resurrection of Carex ignota (Cyperaceae, section Laxiflorae), a long overlooked sedge of the southern U.S.A.

Since its publication in 1849, Carex ignota has been overwhelmingly ignored or treated as a synonym of C. striatula. Here, I present results of statistical analyses that support C. ignota as morphologically distinct from C. striatula and designate a lectotype for C. ignota. I also present the geography of C. ignota and C. striatula from over 750 examined and georeferenced specimens and results of maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction of ddRAD loci. Carex ignota is distinguished from C. striatula by its narrower leaves on vegetative shoots, more loosely-flowered pistillate spikes, staminate spike with longer peduncles, and narrower perigynia. Based on strong morphologic and molecular evidence, C. ignota should be resurrected and treated as a distinct species. Carex ignota occurs on the Coastal Plain in the southeastern United States, as well as northern Alabama, the Ouachita in Arkansas, and the Piedmont in Georgia, where it grows in sandy to loamy soils in ravines and on slopes in mesic deciduous or mixed hardwood-conifer forests.
Is Glycosylated Hemoglobin a Reliable Marker of Diabetes Management in Advanced Heart Failure Patients on Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing is the standard of care for monitoring glycemic control in DM patients. We sought to investigate the reliability of HbA1c testing in Stage D HF patients who require left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LVAD implantation at an academic medical center between 1/1/2012 and 12/31/2018. We reviewed pre-VAD clinical data to help identify patients who carried a pre-LVAD diagnosis of DM, based on the following American Diabetic Association (ADA) criteria: 1) pre-LVAD glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% or 2) pre-LVAD HbA1c Results Amongst 108 patients with LVAD implants, 52 (48%) carried a pre-LVAD diagnosis of DM based on the above outlined criteria. Baseline characteristics of DM vs non-DM patients were comparable for age (56 ±11.7 years), gender (male 70%), bridge-to-transplantation LVAD (54%), HeartWare LVAD (77%), and days on LVAD support (325 ±318.9 days), but different for ischemic HF etiology (39% vs 17%, p=0.016), BMI (31.5 ±5.9 vs 27.9 ±6.8 kg/m2, p=0.007), and length of stay following LVAD implant (39 ±29.7 vs 25 ±17.4 days, p=0.005). Thirty-eight out of 52 DM patients had more than 90 days of follow-up while on LVAD support, accounting for a cumulative set of 72 HbA1c/APG readings. Prior to LVAD implant, mean comparisons between HbA1c and eHbA1c were similar (7.2 ±1.4% vs 7.1 ±1.5%, p=0.517). During LVAD support, means of HbA1c and eHbA1c were different (6.4 ±1.6% vs 7.2 ±1.9%, p Conclusion Discrepancies noted between HbA1c and eHbA1c raises concern for the reliability of HbA1c testing for DM management in Stage D HF patients on LVAD support.
Sedation practices in pediatric ALL patients.

e21500Background: The 5-year survival rate for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is greater than 90%. A common late effect of pediatric ALL is neurocognitive deficits, such as lower IQ. ...
The impact of lateral advection on SST and SSS in the northern Bay of Bengal during 2015

Abstract The Bay of Bengal is subject to strong lateral advection of low-salinity water. This advection leads to the development of strong upper-ocean stratification (salinity stratification), which can have a significant impact on the evolution of SST and SSS by modifying mixing near the surface. In this study, we use a 1-dimensional (1-D) ocean mixing model (PWP) forced with in-situ air–sea fluxes from a surface mooring, along with estimates of horizontal surface freshwater and heat advection from a satellite ocean current product. We develop an ensemble of 1-D simulations by varying estimates of the advection used to force the model and analyze how the advection of temperature and salinity influences the evolution of SST and SSS. The use of an ensemble of solutions, rather than any single solution, compensates for uncertainty in our satellite estimates and significantly improves confidence in our results. Our results indicate that air–sea fluxes are not sufficient to properly simulate the evolution of SST in the northern Bay of Bengal, and that accounting for freshwater advection is required in order to reduce error in SST.
Size-Dependent Pressure-Response of the Photoluminescence of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals.

We report the size-dependent pressure response for CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals in the size range 5.7–10.9 nm using photoluminescence spectroscopy in a diamond anvil cell. As the nanocrystal siz...
The Efficacy of Anti-Corruption Institutions in Italy

The efficacy of an institution must be measured against the challenges it faces. In Italy, anti-corruption institutions face considerable obstacles, including weak national government, strong local...
Engineering of new graphene-based materials as potential materials to assist near-infrared photothermal therapy cancer treatment

Photothermal therapy is an emerging method of cancer treatment in which tumors are ablated by heating agents using near-infrared light (700-1000 nm). A semiconductor with a band gap between 0.3-0.7 eV would therefore efficiently emit near-infrared light. The new "magic" material graphene has a band gap of zero, which is advantageous with regard to designing a new material with a suitable band gap for the emission of near infrared light. In our investigations, using the first principles density functional theory calculation method, we aimed to and successfully designed graphene-based materials with a direct band gap of 0.68 eV. They have the potential to be optimal and efficient near-infrared light sources, due to their narrow yet fitting band gap. The present results open up a new avenue for the application of graphene-based materials to assist in photothermal therapy.
The birth of the ice age: on narrative and climate history in the nineteenth century

On 15 February 1837, the naturalist Louis Agassiz distributed a poem to the audience of one of his lectures, held in the Swiss town of Neuchâtel. The 21 stanza “scientific document,” composed in Ge...
Tris­[2‐(2‐oxido­phenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazo­le‐κ2O2,N3]­aluminium 0.167‐hydrate

The title compound, [Al(C14H9N2O2)3]·0.167H2O, crystallizes with three crystallographically independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The Al atom is coordinated by one O atom and one N atom from each ligand. One half mol­ecule of water is incorporated into the structure per three Al(C14H9N2O2)3 units.
Set-Of-Support Strategy for Higher-Order Logic

We have proven in this paper that set-of-support strategy is complete in higher-order system \(\mathcal{L}\). The situation may not apply to other strategies. For example, hyper-resolution which resolve one nuclear clause with several satellite clauses at one time may not be used in system \(\mathcal{L}\). Because \(\mathcal{L}\) does not contain any inference rules similar to hyper-resolution.
Engineered cellular gene-replacement platform for selective and inducible proteolytic profiling

Cellular demolition during apoptosis is completed by executioner caspases, that selectively cleave more than 1,500 proteins but whose individual roles are challenging to assess. Here, we used an optimized site-specific and inducible protease to examine the role of a classic apoptotic node, the caspase-activated DNase (CAD). CAD is activated when caspases cleave its endogenous inhibitor ICAD, resulting in the characteristic DNA laddering of apoptosis. We describe a posttranscriptional gene replacement (PTGR) approach where endogenous biallelic ICAD is knocked down and simultaneously replaced with an engineered allele that is susceptible to inducible cleavage by tobacco etch virus protease. Remarkably, selective activation of CAD alone does not induce cell death, although hallmarks of DNA damage are detected in human cancer cell lines. Our data strongly support that the highly cooperative action of CAD and inhibition of DNA repair systems are critical for the DNA laddering phenotype in apoptosis. Furthermore, the PTGR approach provides a general means for replacing wild-type protein function with a precisely engineered mutant at the transcriptional level that should be useful for cell engineering studies.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON TURING MACHINE AND QUANTUM TURING MACHINE

Now-a-days every computing device is based on the Turing Machine. It is known that classical physics is sufficient to explain macroscopic phenomena, but is not to explain microscopic phenomena like the interference of electrons. In these days, speed-up and down-sizing of computing devices have been carried out using quantum physical effects; however, principles of computation on these devices are also based on classical physics. This paper tries to analyze mathematically a possibility that the Universal Quantum Turing Machine (UQTM) is able to compute faster than any other classical models of computation. Basically we focused on comparative study on computation power of Universal Turing Machine (UTM) and UQTM. Namely, in the equal, we tried to show that the UQTM can solve any NP-complete problem in polynomial time. The result analysis showed that UQTM is faster for any computation.
Dynamics of the BH3-Only Protein Binding Interface of Bcl-xL

The balance and interplay between pro-death and pro-survival members of the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family proteins play key roles in regulation of the mitochondrial pathway of programmed cell death. Recent NMR and biochemical studies have revealed that binding of the proapoptotic BH3-only protein PUMA induces significant unfolding of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL at the interface, which in turn disrupts the Bcl-xL/p53 interaction to activate apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanism of such regulated unfolding of Bcl-xL is not fully understood. Analysis of the existing Protein Data Bank structures of Bcl-xL in both bound and unbound states reveal substantial intrinsic heterogeneity at its BH3-only protein binding interface. Large-scale atomistic simulations were performed in explicit solvent for six representative structures to further investigate the intrinsic conformational dynamics of Bcl-xL. The results support that the BH3-only protein binding interface of Bcl-xL is much more dynamic compared to the rest of the protein, both unbound and when bound to various BH3-only proteins. Such intrinsic interfacial conformational dynamics likely provides a physical basis that allows Bcl-xL to respond sensitively to detailed biophysical properties of the ligand. The ability of Bcl-xL to retain or even enhance dynamics at the interface in bound states could further facilitate the regulation of its interactions with various BH3-only proteins such as through posttranslational modifications.
Glutaric aciduria type I: a neuroimaging diagnosis?

Glutaric aciduria type I is an autosomal recessive disorder of organic acid metabolism secondary to glutaryl—coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase deficiency. We report a previously healthy 17-month-old girl who presented with acute dystonia. Conventional T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images of the brain showed hyper-intensity in the caudates and putamina bilaterally with subtle involvement of the medial frontal lobes. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images showed striking restricted diffusion in the caudates and putamina consistent with acute necrosis. Single-voxel hydrogen magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the involved areas was normal. The clinical diagnosis of glutaric aciduria type I was confirmed by elevation of 3-hydroxyglutaric and glutaric acids. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive indicator of basal ganglia necrosis in glutaric aciduria type I. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:588—590).
Elastic Properties of (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 Ternary Crystal Structure Using First-Principle Approach

The Cu6 Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) is an important interfacial reactive product in electronic packaging. The properties of Cu6 Sn5 have been demonstrated to be crucial to the interface reliability at the solder interconnections. Due to the element inter-diffusion between the packaging side and PCB (printed circuit board) side during soldering process, a ternary Cu6 Sn5 -based Cu-Ni-Sn intermetallic compound is often generated. This ternary phase exhibits a similar crystal structure as Cu6 Sn5 phase, in which the Ni atoms are regarded as the solubility by replacing the Cu atoms. Therefore, this Cu-Ni-Sn ternary phase is labeled as (Cu6−x , Nix )Sn5 . It has been found that the Cu6 Sn5 unit cell consists of 44 atoms, in which 24 atoms are Cu and 20 atoms are Sn. The 24 Cu atoms occupy 4a, 4e, 8f1 and 8f2 sites, while 20 Sn atoms occupy 4e, 8f1 and 8f2 sites. The reported experimental results are quite sparse and thus a fundamental calculation is required. In this paper, the elastic stiffness of (Cu6−x , Nix )Sn5 crystal structure is calculated based on the first-principle approach within density functional theory. The results indicate that Cu6 Sn5 phase show a nearly isotropic elasticity. However for the phase Cu5Ni1Sn5 (x = 1) where Ni atom at 4a space site, the elasticity shows slightly anisotropic. With the Ni solubility increase (x=2), the anisotropic elasticity of Cu4Ni2Sn5 phase becomes profound. The density of states (DOS) and partial density of states (PDOS) from individual element contributions, as well as the hybridization between the element states are simulated herein to reveal the mechanism of the anisotropic elasticity of (Cu6−x , Nix )Sn5 phase due to the occupancy of Ni atoms.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Ganglioside GM1 Enhances Microtubule Networks and Changes the Morphology of Neuro-2a Cellsin Vitroby Altering the Distribution of MAP2

Abstract The effect of ganglioside GM1 on components of the neuronal cytoskeleton was studied in Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells using immunofluorescent, immunogold-labeled, and Western blot analysis. Exposure of cells to GM1 for 24 h resulted in an increased microtubular network and level of tubulin, a redistribution of MAP2 immunoreactivity from perikarya to distal neuritic processes, and an increased MAP2 gold label in the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm, neuritic spines, and growth cones. A similar change in the distribution of actin-positive fluorescent immunoreactivity was observed. In contrast to the redistribution of MAP2, immunolocalization of MAP5 and tau did not change following 24 h GM1 exposure. Our results suggest that gangliosides enhance neuritogenesis by selectively altering the distribution of MAP2 from perikaryon to neuritic spines. Furthermore, the enhanced presence of MAP2 in regions known to be rich in microfilaments following GM1 treatment suggests that an interaction of MAP2 with microfilaments may be necessary for early neurite formation.
Efficiencies of Nine Two-Phase Ratio Estimators for the Mean

Abstract Nine two-phase ratio estimators for the mean of a finite population are presented. Assuming a linear model, exact expressions for their biases and mean squared errors are derived. Then the nine estimators are compared as to bias and mean squared error. The list of estimators includes the Jackknife estimator and four modifications; two of the proposed modifications are implemented by first expressing the classical estimator in the form of a regression estimator.
Manufacturing training symbols from future bits

This paper presents a state generated training symbol (SGTS) algorithm as a novel channel estimation scheme for sequence detector under time-varying flat-fading channels. The key idea of SGTS is that data-aided unknown parameters estimation can be embedded into the Viterbi decoding structure. By using a systematic convolutional code, the SGTS scheme uses a `future' training sequence manufactured by the current decoding state to estimate the channel parameter. This is distinct from the conventional per-survivor processing (PSP) algorithm which uses `past' survivor data to do the estimation. Simulation results are provided to show that the novel SGTS-based sequence detector has similar performance with lower computation load compared with the PSP-based one. Furthermore, SGTS can coordinate with PSP. The resulting sequence detector achieves significant performance improvements with better channel estimation, especially under fast fading channels
The domain of hypertrophic chondrocytes in growth plates growing at different rates.

In this study, we tested the hypotheses that (a) both the domain volume (volume of the cell and the matrix it has formed) and matrix volume of juxtametaphyseal hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate is tightly controlled, and that (b) the domain volume of juxtametaphyseal hypertrophic chondrocytes is a strong determinant of the rate of bone length growth. We analyzed the rate of bone length growth (oxytetracycline labeling techniques) and nine stereologic and kinetic parameters related to the juxtametaphyseal chondrocytic domain in the proximal and distal radial and tibial growth plates of 21- and 35-day-old rats. The domain volume increased with increasing growth rates, independent of the location of the growth plate and the age of the animal. Within age groups, the matrix volume per cell increased with increasing growth rates, but an identical growth plate had the same matrix volume per cell in 21- and 35-day-old rats. The most suitable regression model (R2= 0.992) to describe the rate of bone length growth included the mean volume of juxtametaphyseal hypertrophic chondrocytes and the mean rate of cell loss/cell proliferation. This relationship was independent of the location of the growth plate and the age of the animal. The data suggest that the domain volume of juxtametaphyseal hypertrophic chondrocytes, as well as the matrix volume produced per cell, may be tightly regulated. In addition, the volume of juxtametaphyseal hypertrophic chondrocytes and the rate of cell loss/rate of cell proliferation may play the most important role in the determination of the rate of bone length growth.
Flashing of D-C machines caused by short circuits

STUDIES MADE ON THE flashover characteristics of two d-c machines revealed in part the mechanism of flashover as a result of short circuits. Experimental data obtained from oscillographic records and from high-speed motion pictures substantiated the concepts of arcing currents and flashing currents as follows: 1. Arcing current is related to commutation and produces ions over the surface of the commutator. 2. Flashing current is in the opposite direction to arcing current. 3. Flashing results from the ionized film of gas that envelopes the commutator and is initiated where the brush-to-commutator voltage is high enough to sustain an arc with the ionized gases present.
Comparison of measured and modeled variations in piñon pine leaf water isotopic enrichment across a summer moisture gradient

Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of bulk leaf water (δDlw and δ18Olw) in pinon pine (Pinus edulis and P. monophylla) and gas exchange parameters were measured under field conditions to examine the effects of seasonal moisture stress on leaf water isotopic enrichment. Study sites were located near the lower elevation limit for pinon in the southwestern USA. Leaf-level transpiration measurements were made four times daily in spring, summer and early autumn; simultaneously, leaf samples were collected for water extraction and stable isotope analysis. Diurnal variations in δDlw and δ18Olw values were small, especially when leaf water residence times (molar leaf water content divided by transpiration rate) were high. Stomatal conductance explained most of the variance (60%) in leaf water enrichment across the dataset. Observed leaf water enrichment was compared with predictions of steady-state and nonsteady-state models. Nonsteady-state predictions fit observations the best, although D enrichment was often lower than predicted by any model. Hydrogen isotope ratios of leaf water and cellulose nitrate were strongly correlated, demonstrating preservation of a leaf water signal in wood and leaf cellulose.